2 Ministop stores in Kyoto suspected of falsifying expiry dates for years

This photo taken Aug. 18, 2025, shows a Ministop store sign in Tokyo. (Kyodo)

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Two branches of the Japanese convenience store chain Ministop in Kyoto Prefecture are suspected of falsifying expiry dates on foods prepared in their kitchens for several years, the local health center said Tuesday.

The revelation comes after operator Ministop Co., a subsidiary of retail giant Aeon Co., said Monday it had found such misconduct at 23 stores in Tokyo, Saitama, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures.

While no health problems have been reported, Ministop has temporarily suspended sales of rice balls, bento box lunches and other deli items at about 1,600 stores nationwide.

During questioning by the local health center, workers at two branches in Kyoto Prefecture said they had delayed affixing labels to items prepared in in-house kitchens “for several years.”

Meanwhile, workers at two Ministop stores in Hyogo Prefecture were allegedly instructed by owners to falsify expiry dates when excess food was prepared.

Local health centers in both prefectures have issued guidance under relevant food laws to the stores.

The misconduct at 23 stores was discovered in June by a private organization contracted by Ministop to conduct regular inspections.

With nearly half of the stores in Osaka Prefecture, the prefectural government said it plans to conduct on-site inspections at three stores within its jurisdiction to ascertain the situation.