Japan chain suspends sales of ready-to-eat meals after expiry date falsification scandal
Japanese convenience store chain Ministop has suspended sales of onigiri, bento boxes, and other freshly prepared meals at around 1,600 outlets after it was discovered that staff at 23 stores in Tokyo, Saitama, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka falsified expiry date labels, Kazinform News Agency reports citing Kyodo.
Investigations revealed that employees delayed labeling by one to two hours or replaced stickers with false dates. While no health issues have been reported, the company has halted all in-store prepared meal sales nationwide.
“We sincerely apologize for the significant inconvenience caused to our customers who have supported Ministop’s handmade onigiri and bento boxes,” the company said in a statement. One user commented online: “I was shocked to find one of the 23 stores is located right next to my house…”
Ministop operates around 2,030 stores, including franchise outlets, and employs approximately 670 people. The company’s core business is developing its convenience store franchise and providing partners with product information and management expertise.
Earlier, it was reported that global demand for matcha has surged to record highs, with prices in 2025 rising 170 percent compared to the previous year.
