Rat Remains Found in Japanese Bread: Over 100K Packages Recalled

Body parts from rats have been found in a famous brand of Japanese bread. Over 100,000 packages have been recalled.

Pasco Shikishima Corporation, the company that makes white “chojuku” bread, has recalled about 104,000 packs in Japan after parts of a rat were found in two packets of the popular sliced bread. The manufacturer subsequently issued an official apology and suspended operations of the Tokyo plant responsible for producing the two packets of bread.

“It has recently come to light that a foreign object (a part of what appears to be a small animal) has been mixed into the “Super-Mature 5-Slice” produced by Shikishima Baking Co., Ltd.’s Pasco Tokyo-Tama Factory,” the statement reads. “We have completed the recall of the products that were contaminated with foreign substances, but as a precaution, we have recalled the following products that were produced on the same line, and have suspended the line for the time being in order to investigate the cause and strengthen countermeasures.”

Bread loaves recalled in Japan after 'rat remains' were found https://t.co/XSycmXQF6R

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 9, 2024

The company “deeply” apologized for the inconvenience to its customers, business partners, and all concerned parties. “We will strive to further strengthen our quality control system and take all possible measures to ensure that such a situation does not occur again in the future,” the statement continued.

The recalled products are Super-Mature Mountain-Shaped 5 slices (JAN code 4901820162922) and Super-Mature Mountain-Shaped 6 slices (JAN code 4901820357380). Both expire between May 7, 2024, and May 11, 2024.

The company is issuing a Quo card, a gift certificate that can be used at convenience stores to purchase other items, to those who purchased the recalled bread. Users can apply for Yamato Transport’s Takkyubin Pickup Service. Then, a Yamato Transport staff member will pick up the affected item for free.

An investigation is also ongoing on how the rat parts made it into the bread.

Pasco’s products are exported to the U.S., China, Singapore, Australia, and other countries, according to BBC. The outlet also noted that “food recalls are rare in Japan, a country with famously high standards of sanitation,” but this is not the first health scare recently.

In March, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a drugmaker, initiated a voluntary recall of dietary supplements designed to reduce cholesterol levels. Last month, the company announced an investigation into five deaths possibly associated with the products, which include red yeast rice. Additionally, last year, there were two instances of cockroaches found in rice balls sold at 7-Eleven and produced by food supplier Warabeya Nichiyo, per CNN.