1,600 Ministop stores in Japan suspend deli sales over fake expiry dates

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Sales of onigiri and bento lunch boxes were halted from Aug 9, and other deli dishes from Aug 18.

Sales of onigiri and bento lunch boxes were halted from Aug 9, and other deli dishes from Aug 18.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY

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TOKYO – The operator of the Japanese convenience store chain Ministop said on Aug 18 it has suspended the sale of deli items at some 1,600 stores as expiry dates of certain foods prepared by its kitchens have been faked.

While no health damage has been reported so far, sales of onigiri and bento lunch boxes were halted from Aug 9, and other deli dishes from Aug 18.

Ministop found that some store workers extended expiry dates by not placing labels on items for one to two hours after they were prepared at in-house kitchens, while others removed expiry stickers and relabelled them with false dates.

The misconduct has been discovered at 23 stores in Tokyo, Saitama, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures. KYODO NEWS .

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