Japanese network stops selling rice ball after fake shelf life

The Japanese store store stopped sale of rice balls, or onigiri, as well as other gastronom items in 1600 stores after finding that the staff had fallen expiry dates.

The staff in some stores extended the shelf life without holding the labels for the dishes up to the hour after preparation. Others transferred subjects with false dates after they were sold on sale, the minister discovered.

Violation of rules in 23 shops across the country, including in major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, has been reported.

The network stopped on the sales of onigiri in most of its outlets since August 9, and on Monday expanded to other gastranoma items for an “emergency investigation”.

“We sincerely apologize for the significant inconvenience caused by our customers who supported the manual ministop onigiri and handmade,” the company said on Monday.

Customers still do not report on health problems, added.

Convenience shops or Konbini are part of everyday life in Japan, where people – especially passengers – will come for affordable and filling meals and products at the last minute and banking orders.

Onigiri is popular with customers who want to grab food because rice balls are easily transferred to burrows or dried seaweed and filled with protein like tuna or cod eggs.

Ministop operates over 1800 shops across Japan. Its emphasis on fresh food – with hot food cooked in place – distinguishes it from large chains.