FAQ - JFC International

Below are answers to commonly asked questions of your favorite JFC products. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact us.

How do I read the code on my rice bag?

For Nishiki rice, you may find date coding stamped on the bag similar in format to 1017F22. The first 3 digits, 101, represent a Julian date code, meaning the 101st day of the year. The 4th digit, 7, represents the last digit of the year the rice was milled. In this example, the rice was milled April 11, 2017. For Botan rice, you may find date coding stamped on the bag similar in format to EX: L71040. The 1st digit, 7, represents the line number. The last 3 digits, 040, represent a Julian date code, meaning the 40th day of the year. The 2nd digit represents the last digit of the year the rice was milled, for example 1=2021. In this example (L71040), the rice was milled on the 40th day of 2021 (February 9th, 2021).

What is the shelf life of rice?

The recommended shelf life for white rice is 9-12 months from its milled date, and 6-9 months for brown rice.

I found a bug in my rice. What should I do?

Bugs are inherent to Rice since it is an agricultural product. Pesticides are used during rice production to prevent infestation. However, we try to keep the chemicals usage to a minimum, so on occasion, some eggs may commingle with rice kernels. If the products are mishandled or stored in high temperatures, the eggs may start to hatch. Other grain pests may also chew through plastic or paper containers of unopened products to feed on the rice and lay eggs. If you have a bug-infested bag, please return it with proof of purchase to the store for a refund. JFC International Inc. does not provide refunds; the procedure is done at the retail level. However, if you would like to bring the incident to our attention, don't hesitate to get in touch with our consumer services department at ConsServ@jfc.com

What is the best way to store rice?

Insect infestation is highly probable through long storage and high temperature. It is best to store unused rice in an airtight container, and to keep it in a refrigerator or a freezer. It will help deter insects and will prolong shelf life.

Is rice gluten-free? How can I obtain information on your other gluten-free products?

Yes, our rice is milled at a facility that only handles rice products, so there is no risk of cross contamination. If you would like more information on other gluten-free products that JFC International Inc. distributes, please contact us.

Is my rice kosher certified?

Rice that is Kosher certified will have a Kosher logo on the bag. If you are not certain of the status of your rice, please contact us.

Where can I find more recipes?

You may find more recipes by visiting JFC.com/recipes.

I bought frozen noodles and the package says microwaveable. Can I microwave the noodles inside the package?

Please remove the frozen noodles from the package and place the noodles on a microwave-safe plate before microwaving. The plastic package should never be microwaved with the frozen noodles.

The item I bought was in the refrigerated section, but the package has, “keep frozen”.

There are several items that are distributed to the stores and retailers in a frozen state, but the store sells the item in the refrigerated section for ease of use by consumers. If this happens, stores are required to add a sticker with a best by date since the item has been thawed.

I found some mold on refrigerated items in the store.

Most of our products actually arrived frozen, the store then thawed it for display and purchase. If you have any questions about the products you bought, please contact the store where you purchase the items from.

I used to buy Hime and JFC brand products and I can’t find them anymore.

The Hime and JFC brand is now under our newest private brand, J-basket. Rest assured that the quality of your favorite products have not changed.

Why does the food I bought now have a warning?

The warning you see is required by the state of California.

Proposition 65 is a law that requires businesses to inform Californians about any products that may expose them to chemicals that can cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. It’s also known as the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,” and aims to help Californians make more informed decisions about their exposure to these chemicals.

Why Am I Being Shown a Warning?

With over 1000 chemicals on the list as of September 2019, it is financially impossible for us or our suppliers to test our products for all chemicals on the list or claim an exemption by proving that any present chemicals, such as lead, only come from natural sources. Thus, we’re including a warning on many of the products.

Chemicals like lead naturally occur in soil and are naturally absorbed by plants, it’s also released from industrial sources and aircraft. Upon emission, lead can travel before sticking to soil particles in the ground. This can transfer to groundwater, and eventually be absorbed by plants. Thus, while we can argue that the lead may be naturally occurring, there’s no way for us to prove that all of it comes only from natural sources.

Are all of your rice imported from Japan?

Some of our rice brands, such as Nishiki and Botan, are actually locally grown in California, while some of our other rice brands, such as Ayanishiki, are imported from Japan.

Does Brown Rice contain arsenic?

The Botan, Nishiki, or Hukkura brown rice, are all grown in Northern California.

Moreover, rice grown in California is known to have very little to no arsenic level in the rice.
Numerous studies have shown that rice grown in California contains the lowest amount of arsenic compared to other states. The farming styles of southern states that grew cotton used many pesticides since there were no regulations on this in the past. These practices led to more chemicals from the pesticide, such as arsenic, remaining in the soil.

Between white rice and brown rice, the brown rice contains a higher amount of arsenic. The outer layer of rice (which is removed in white rice) is where a lot of the nutrients are present. However, that is where arsenic and other heavy metals are concentrated. Therefore, while brown rice is more nutritious than white rice, the arsenic content is higher than white rice. The tests have also shown that thoroughly washing rice reduces the arsenic content by around 20% or more. The washing process removes any arsenic present on the outer layer of the rice.

Is Botan Rice Enriched or Fortified?

Botan rice is not enriched or fortified.

There are so many rice varieties, which one should I use?

That really depends on what you’re cooking. For donburi style, we recommend medium grain (such as Nishiki brand), and highly recommend short grain (Tamanishiki brand) for sushi rice. For fried rice or Southeast Asian dishes, we recommend long grain or jasmine rice (such as Dynasty brand rice). In general, our medium grain rice (Nishiki) goes pretty well with many styles of dish.

I saw that you sell Haiga Rice and it has rice germ in it. Should I be concerned about it?

No, this germ is not what you think it is. Rice germ is actually part of the rice that will sprout into a new plant (from the scientific word, to germinate). This part contains the highest nutrient of all. What makes Haiga rice different is that it contains the nutrients of brown rice, but the texture and fluffiness of white rice. Think of it as a hybrid between brown and white rice.

What Noodles are safe for my kids with allergies?

The Dynasty Maifun Rice Sticks and the Dynasty Saifun Bean Threads do not contain egg, fish, shellfish, milk, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy or sesame seeds. They do not share equipment with products that contain any of the nine allergens.

Does the Nishiki Rice come in contact with any allergens?

No, the Nishiki Rice is milled and packed in a facility that only handles Rice and none of the nine major allergens regulated by FDA.

Do you export to countries other than where your office is located?

Yes, please contact us for more information for export inquiries.

Do you sell your products directly to consumers?

Unfortunately, we do not as we are only B2B (Business to business). If you’re interested in opening an account to purchase for your business, please feel free to contact us.

As a consumer, how can I get a refund or replacement for my defective items?

We greatly appreciate your business and apologize for any inconvenience from this, but refund and replacement must be done with the store where you purchased the items, this way we can work with the store with any issues they may have (product storing, quality control, etc.)

May I tour your warehouse to see what products you have for sale?

We do NOT give a warehouse tour. Our warehouse is a constant moving mix of people, vehicles, and equipment and it can pose a very serious safety hazard for unauthorized people.

I’d like to sell our products, how do I contact your purchasing manager?

We have multiple purchasing managers handling multiple categories. Please contact us and we’ll forward your inquiries to the appropriate person.

Can we purchase any of your products online?

If you are a consumer, we unfortunately do not sell our products directly online, but they are available at a variety of stores and online retailers. If you are a business and already have an account with us, our sales team can guide you on how to place an order through our system.

Why should I purchase from JFC International?

JFC International is the top leading wholesaler for Asian food and ingredients. We have one of the largest distribution networks for Asian food products, stretching across the globe. We are known for an assortment of high quality ingredients.

What does JFC International sell?

We offer a wide selection of Asian food and ingredients, such as products from Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and so on. We also offer a variety of restaurant supplies. We cater to retailers, restaurants, and other distributors nationwide and internationally. Our experienced sales representative team will be more than happy to discuss what products would best suit your business.

Do you have seasonal merchandise / products?

Yes, our seasonal products are usually available pre-seasonally while supplies last. Please contact our sales representatives to learn more about our seasonal products.

Do you sell your products by the piece?

While most of our products are prepackaged and sold by the case, a few of our items can be purchased by the piece / sleeve. Please contact our sales team or email us if you have more questions about this.