By In a shocking revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Japanese food industry, Pasco Shikishima Corp., a major food supplier based in Nagoya, has announced the recall of 104,000 packs of its popular Pasco bread from 15 prefectures.
The recall comes after part of what appeared to be a small animal was found in a batch of super fermented “chojuku” bread produced at a factory west of Tokyo.
A company representative confirmed to NBC News on Thursday that the contamination was caused by a “small black rat.”
The discovery has raised serious concerns about food safety standards in Japan, a country renowned for its high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
Pasco Shikishima Corp. issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing deep apologies for the “serious inconvenience and trouble” caused to customers, suppliers, and other concerned parties.
The company assured that the recall of the contaminated products had been completed and that, as a precautionary measure, other items produced on the same line were also being recalled.
The production line in question will remain suspended while the company investigates the cause of the contamination and strengthens its countermeasures.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, the company reported that there have been no instances of consumers falling ill due to the contaminated bread.
However, the recall has understandably left many customers feeling uneasy and concerned about the safety of their food.
This incident is the latest in a series of food safety scares that have plagued Japan in recent months. In March, major drug maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical was ordered to recall three dietary supplement products containing red yeast rice after they were linked to five deaths and more than 100 hospitalizations.
Last year, the country was also rocked by a wave of “sushi terrorism” pranks, in which diners at iconic conveyor belt restaurants filmed themselves engaging in unhygienic behavior, such as licking the rim of a cup before returning it and spraying food with hand sanitizer. These incidents led to multiple arrests by the police.
Social media platform X has been abuzz with discussions about the rat-part recall, with many commenters expressing their support for the Pasco brand while also voicing their concerns.
One commenter shared that they have Pasco products at home and have been consuming them normally, but added, “I just hope there are no rats in them.”
The recall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent food safety measures and the need for constant vigilance in the food industry.
As Pasco Shikishima Corp. works to address the issue and restore consumer confidence, the incident is likely to have far-reaching implications for the Japanese food industry as a whole.
Credit: NBC News
