Ministop to Replace Franchise Owners After Expiration Date Scandal

Ministop Co., a convenience store chain, is taking action to address the issue of falsified expiration dates. The company will replace the franchise owners of all 25 stores where this misconduct was discovered.

The company's president, Masashi Hotta, expressed deep regret for the lack of diligence in ensuring food safety and honest business practices. Ministop is actively investigating the root causes of the issue and implementing preventative measures to avoid future occurrences.

The company's investigation revealed that expiration dates were altered on various in-store prepared items, including rice balls, boxed lunches, spring rolls, and fried chicken. In many instances, employees made the decision to reduce food waste. However, there were also cases where store owners or managers directed the falsification of dates.

Some stores had been engaging in this practice for up to three years, with some food items being sold up to 14 hours after their expiration. While two customers reported experiencing stomachaches and vomiting after purchasing boxed lunches from an affected store, a direct link has not been confirmed.

The initial discovery of mislabeled expiration dates was announced on August 18, affecting 23 stores across seven prefectures. Two additional stores were identified on September 1. Following the discovery, the sale of in-store prepared items has been suspended at all 1,784 Ministop stores nationwide.

At a news conference, Hotta stated that there is no set timeline for resuming the sale of these items. The company is also considering providing compensation to franchise owners for losses incurred due to the sales suspension. In-store prepared foods typically account for approximately 6 to 8 percent of each store's total sales.