The Taichung District Court sentenced former restaurant head Toshi Sakamoto and former store manager Kubo to two years and eight months in prison each. Former head chef Yamazoe received a two-year sentence, Focus Taiwan reported.
All three were also ordered to be deported after completing their prison terms. Libera Advertising Marketing Co., the company that operated the restaurant, was fined NT$1 million (US$32,300). The verdict remains subject to appeal.
Prosecutors said the restaurant served expired premium Kobe beef between January and March 2024 while marketing itself as the “pinnacle of Japanese barbecue in Taichung.”
The meat was sold at the regular price of NT$2,700 per serving to 29 customers who were unaware that it had expired. Authorities said the restaurant earned NT$78,300 in illegal profits from the sales.
Four people were charged with aggravated fraud and violations of Taiwan’s food safety law: Toshi Sakamoto, his brother Takuya Sakamoto, Kubo, and Yamazoe. The court has convicted Toshi Sakamoto, Kubo, and Yamazoe, while Takuya Sakamoto’s case is still pending.
A freshly cooked steak served on a plate. Photo from Pexels. |
The investigation began in April 2024 after whistleblowers accused the restaurant of using expired ingredients. Food safety inspectors later discovered expired beef as well as other out-of-date items, including miso, chili bean paste, and cold noodles.
Before the criminal case, authorities had already fined the restaurant NT$1.44 million, ordered it to suspend operations, and referred the case to prosecutors.
The original operators have since shut down the business. The restaurant is now managed by a new Taiwanese team with no ties to the former owners.
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