In a series of unfortunate events, several food safety scandals have hit Japan in recent months, the latest being the discovery of rat parts in loaves of bread produced by Pasco Shikishima Corporation. The company has recalled over 100,000 packs of its popular brand of sliced white bread following reports from consumers in various prefectures across Japan.
The affected batch was manufactured at a factory based in western Tokyo prefecture. Two packets of the bread were found to contain rat parts, leading to an immediate halt in production and a full recall.
Pasco Shikishima Corporation expressed its sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused and promised compensation for affected customers. The company is currently investigating how the rodent remains managed to find their way into the bread.
This incident adds to a growing list of food safety scandals in Japan, which has a longstanding reputation for reliable food exports. In March, Japanese health authorities ordered the withdrawal of three dietary supplements produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical following several deaths and hospitalizations. Last August, Warabeya Nichiyo disclosed two instances of cockroaches being found inside its rice balls sold at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Saitama.
White bread is a staple for many Japanese people when they feel like a Western-style meal or as an alternative to traditional Japanese food. Pasco Shikishima Corporation is a major supplier of baked goods, employing over 3,700 staff at 12 factories across the country.
The recall does not involve any products sold overseas. The recalled product is known as chojuku bread or super-fermented bread for its extra chewy texture. This type of bread has been a favorite among Japanese consumers for decades.
Pasco Shikishima Corporation's recall has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing their love and loyalty to the brand while others are concerned about the safety of their food. One affected customer wrote on social media, “I was thinking whether I should put it in the freezer for the expiration date when I got the news...I used to like chojuku bread best.”
Some took a sarcastic approach by referencing an advertisement for the bread that promises, “We put nothing unnecessary in it.”
