Major bread producer, Pasco Shikishima Corp., has issued a recall of 104,000 packages of bread after consumers in Gunma Prefecture reported finding remnants of a “small animal,” believed to be a rat, in their purchased loaves. The disturbing discovery has prompted the halting of bread production at a Tokyo factory as the company navigates the fallout.
“We deeply apologize for this incident and the discomfort it may have caused our customers,” stated a representative from Pasco. “We will do our utmost to strengthen our quality controls to prevent a recurrence. We ask for your understanding and cooperation.”
This incident has shaken consumer confidence in an otherwise robust food safety environment in Japan, which recently faced several food-related issues, including mass food poisoning cases and other health concerns. Pasco Shikishima, headquartered in Nagoya city, also produces rolls, bagels, and muffins and has pledged compensation to those affected by the contamination.
The recalled bread was distributed across multiple prefectures including Ibaraki, Niigata, Kanagawa, Fukushima, Aomori, and Tokyo. The company’s swift action aims to mitigate any further impact from this incident on its consumers and its reputation.
