Loaves of bread have been withdrawn from store shelves across Japan following the discovery of what is believed to be the remains of a small animal, suspected to be a rat. Production of the bread was immediately halted at a factory in Tokyo, with Pasco Shikishima Corp. recalling 104,000 packages of the affected product. In response to the incident, the company issued a formal apology and pledged to provide compensation to affected consumers.
In a statement released this week, Pasco Shikishima Corp. stated, “We will do our utmost to strengthen our quality controls so that this will never happen again. We ask for your understanding and your cooperation.” Reports from Japanese media indicate that at least two individuals who purchased the bread in Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, lodged complaints with the company after discovering the rodent in their bread. The impacted bread had been distributed to various regions, including Ibaraki, Niigata, Kanagawa, Fukushima, Aomori, and Tokyo, according to Pasco Shikishima Corp.
Headquartered in Nagoya city, central Japan, Pasco Shikishima Corp. is also involved in the production of rolls, bagels, and muffins. While Japan is known for its stringent food safety standards, recent incidents have raised concerns about the nation’s food safety. Earlier this month, approximately 1,000 schoolchildren fell ill due to contaminated milk, and two individuals reported sickness after consuming steak at a restaurant. Additionally, in March, a widespread outbreak of food poisoning linked to a health supplement resulted in the deaths of five people.