Sri Lanka Central Bank Surprises Markets With 100 Basis Point Rate Hike Amid Inflation and Currency Pressure 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
U.S.-Iran Talks May Take Days as Oil Prices React to Strait of Hormuz Tensions 
Uruguay Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 5.75% Amid Inflation and Oil Price Concerns 
Toshifumi Suzuki, Founder of Seven-Eleven Japan, Dies at 93 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
PDG Explores $1 Billion Sale of China Data Center Assets 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
SpaceX IPO Hype Raises Questions as Many Major Stock Debuts Underperform Market 
Want to cut your energy bills? Here’s how five experts are doing it 
HP Q2 2026 Earnings Beat Expectations Despite Memory Chip Pressure 
Google promotes ‘teacher approved’ apps for kids. Here’s what parents should know 
Australia Inflation Cools in April as Fuel Prices Ease, But Core CPI Remains Sticky 
Columbia Student Mahmoud Khalil Fights Arrest as Deportation Case Moves to New Jersey 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Yes, government influences wages – but not just in the way you might think 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
FamilyMart issued an apology after mistakenly selling meatballs as nikudango. The error in product labeling led to differences in taste and unintentional overcharging. The company ensures no health concerns and promises full refunds to affected buyers.
Nikudango and meatballs, while referring to the same food item, are used differently within the food industry and foodie circles. Nikudango typically refers to Asian-style meatballs seasoned with traditional Asian spices. Meanwhile, meatballs, known as mito boru in Japanese, are often associated with Western seasonings and dishes.
FamilyMart's nikudango, called Famimaru Kitchen Special Sweet Vinegar Chinese-style Niku Dango, features a sweet-and-sour glaze. In contrast, the meatballs are served with tomato sauce. Although it remains unclear if the meat mixture is identical, the two products differ significantly in taste due to their distinct sauces.
Price and quantity are additional factors that set the nikudango and meatballs apart. The nikudango pack weighs 158 grams and is priced at 221 yen, while the meatballs package weighs 110 grams and costs 119 yen. Consequently, customers who received the mistakenly labeled meatballs were unintentionally overcharged.
FamilyMart assures customers that there are no safety concerns with the meatballs. Despite mislabeling, the meatballs pose no health or sanitation issues, and the company states that no allergens differ between the nikudango and meatballs.
To rectify the situation, FamilyMart invites customers who purchased the mislabeled product to return either the package or the receipt for a full refund. This gesture aims to compensate customers who unknowingly consumed the meatballs and provides an opportunity to taste FamilyMart's genuine nikudango.
Affected customers can visit any FamilyMart branch and claim their refund. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate product labeling and the store's commitment to customer satisfaction. With an expiration date of October 2nd, customers are encouraged to act promptly, ensuring they receive a full refund for the unintentional meatball mix-up.
Meanwhile, a Family Mart in Tokyo's Ogikubo has caught attention for housing a separate shop within its premises: a Subway branch. Referred to as the Subway Ogikubo Family Mart store, this branch boasts a full-scale Subway complete with uniformed staff and various subs. The unique setup has piqued the curiosity of many.
Photo: Clark Gu/Unsplash
