Ministop, a popular Japanese convenience store chain, has suspended the sale of onigiri and other deli items at 1,600 locations after discovering staff manipulated expiry dates. The company is conducting an emergency investigation while assuring customers of their safety.
Japanese Convenience Store Chain Halts Rice Ball Sales Amid Expiry Date Scandal
Japanese Convenience Store Chain Halts Rice Ball Sales Amid Expiry Date Scandal
Ministop halts rice ball and deli item sales after staff falsify expiry dates, raising food safety concerns.
In a troubling incident for food safety in Japan, Ministop, a renowned convenience store chain, has halted the sale of rice balls, known as onigiri, and other deli items in 1,600 of its stores. This suspension follows revelations that staff at 23 locations had engaged in unethical practices involving the falsification of expiry dates. Reports indicate that some employees delayed placing expiry labels on food items until one or two hours after preparation, while others altered the dates once products were available for sale.
The investigation has primarily affected stores in major urban centers such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Since August 9, sales of onigiri have been paused at most outlets, with further restrictions now applied to other deli products in response to the situation. Ministop offered an apology for the inconvenience caused to customers, especially those who relied on the chain's freshly made onigiri and bento boxes. Fortunately, no health issues have been reported as a result.
Convenience stores, or konbini, play a vital role in daily Japanese life, particularly for busy commuters seeking affordable meal options and last-minute grocery items. Onigiri is especially popular for its portability, being easily carried due to its packaging in nori or dried seaweed, often filled with various proteins like tuna salad or cod eggs.
With over 1,800 stores nationwide, Ministop prides itself on offering freshly prepared hot meals onsite, distinguishing it from larger competitors in the convenience store market. As the investigation continues, the company aims to address customer concerns and rectify the misconduct to restore trust in its food safety practices.
