Key Facts
• June 2025: Surprise inspection revealed falsified expiration labels on products.
• 23 stores nationwide involved; 16 located in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo.
• Affected items include onigiri and prepared foods made in-store.
• Expiration dates were extended by relabeling or delayed labeling.
• No health issues reported, but customers expressed concerns.
• All implicated stores are franchise-operated locations.
• Ministop denies organizational misconduct but faces accountability questions.
• Expert highlights franchisees bear risks; calls for corporate responsibility.
• Ministop halted sales of affected products across all stores.
Summary
Convenience store chain Ministop was found falsifying expiration dates on in-store prepared foods, including onigiri, during a surprise inspection in June 2025. The issue was concentrated in the Kansai region, with 16 of the 23 implicated stores located in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo. Methods included relabeling expired products and delaying expiration labeling. While no health issues have been reported, customers voiced disappointment and concern over food safety. All affected stores were franchise-operated, and experts noted the financial pressures on franchisees. Ministop has denied systemic wrongdoing but faces scrutiny over its responsibility to ensure food safety. Sales of the implicated products have been suspended nationwide.
