Ministop halts in-store prepared rice balls, bento boxes, and other dishes at 23 stores due to fraudulent expiration dates

On the 18th, Ministop announced that some of its stores had been selling rice balls and prepared foods with falsified expiration dates. The company has currently halted sales at all locations and is conducting an investigation into the matter.

The tampering was discovered in 23 stores across seven prefectures, including Tokyo, Saitama, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka. The issue involved in-store prepared rice balls and other dishes, where expiration labels were applied well after manufacturing or re-applied to extend the shelf life of already displayed items.

While no health issues have been reported thus far, Ministop has suspended sales of in-store prepared rice balls, deli items, and boxed lunches until the investigation and improvement measures are completed. Ministop has issued an apology, saying, “We sincerely apologize for any concern and worry this may have caused.”