Matsuzakaya and Daimaru department stores said Wednesday they are recalling some of their Valentine's Day chocolates after mold was found on some chocolates sold at stores in Osaka and Tokyo.
The stores, which are owned and operated by Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a subsidiary of J Front Retailing, were contacted by customers across Japan and informed of the problem, Fuji TV reported. Eight Daimaru stores and three Matsuzakaya stores, including branches in Osaka and Tokyo, reported complaints from customers regarding moldy chocolates sold between Jan 25 and Feb 4.
The withdrawn chocolate boxes were named Troyes Artisan and Carrement Bon, a spokesperson said. It is believed that more than 1,000 of the chocolates are already in customers' hands, Fuji TV said.
The fresh chocolates, which are made by a Belgian chocolatier, contain a large amount of moisture, which is believed to have been the cause of the mold growth.
A spokesperson for J Front Retailing said that although there have been, as yet, no reports of ill health caused by the product, stores have removed them from sale and will offer refunds to customers.
© Japan Today
25 Comments
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Yubaru
No ぎりgiri choco this year, げり geri choco instead!
southsakai
Bad wrap for Daimaru. If there's anything a business in Japan wants to avoid, it's situations like this. Daimaru is a strong brand. Manager must be going crazy because of this recall and letting store customers down.
I was in Kintetsu yesterday buying some Chocolate, Belgium chocolate. Oh no!
Ewan Huzarmy
Giri-choco ? Giri-giri safe more like !
Mocheake
You could pull off your own version of the infamous 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' and feign ignorance.
Citizen14
For some, this would be the perfect Valentine's Day gift...
Hategobo
In December "Baskin Robbins" were promoting their French toast flavour on the Japanese icecream eating public.This expose is a marketing ploy to promote the "New and exciting "Gorgonzola flavoured chocolates" that add a little Italian romance to the Japanese Chocolate market.
ReformedBasher
mctavish, I was going to say "Green Day" but that's already taken :-)
Himajin
I don't think you'd see it until you opened the box. They took action as soon as notified, yes they did the right thing.
horrified
jonobugs -
Reading comprehension? They admitted it AFTER customers complained. That's doing the right thing?
mctavish
Thinking ahead to March 14, will it be renamed White and a Little Furry Day?
Himajin
Mold is floating all around you as you read this. The chocolate only had to be kept somewhere too warm for it to grow.
the-grouch
Actually mold on chocolate looks quite nice. It's grayish and makes the chocolate soft and milky. Look honey... cum over here I wanna show you something.
Samantha Zoe Aso
Very romantic!
Virtuoso
Roses are red, violets are blue, hope this candy doesn't sicken you.
jonobugs
Hearing about so many cover ups, I'm glad to hear about a company who is willing to step up and do the right thing even at the expense of their name.
Christina O'Neill
Good job the mould was discovered before being given as a love token on Valantines day. Y ou can say "I love you" with flowers and a card, but mouldy chocolates would definately send the wrong message
nath
Mold grows faster in the shower in the winter than the summer I have found, so it is possible that those chocolates have a vivacious winter mold.
ExportExpert
Sounds like left overs from last year not fresh ones, and that wouldn't suprise anyone here would it.
cleo
So does aflatoxin. Eat your chockkies and get liver cancer?
paulinusa
Penicillin comes from mold. Eat your chocos and fight nasty bacteria at the same time.
Elbuda Mexicano
I hope no one gets sick, no Daimaru for me!
Yukio Mishima
A bit of mould never hurt anybody! Roughage I say! If they give me a discount.... I'll make a purchase! Chocolate with mould....... makes me think of green tea chocolate! Mmmmmm!
ebisen
Just imagine how dirty must it have been in order to get moldy. It is a cold and dry winter, one really has to struggle to grow mold in these conditions...
mctavish
Just imagine the response on receiving a box of these...."Hey! Weren't these the ones I gave you last year?"
some14some
Produce receipt and get refund...Happy Japanese Valentine :(