Snow Brand Food Co., which has admitted to relabeling imported beef to get domestic subsidies, said Friday it will suspend beef-related operations, while its president indicated he may resign to take responsibility for the company's crooked behavior.
"I will clarify my responsibility shortly," Snow Brand Food President Shozo Yoshida told reporters after he met with officials from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.
Company officials said the farm ministry called in Yoshida and other senior officials, urging them to temporarily exit the beef business, as the company stands accused of abusing a beef buyback policy related to the outbreak of mad cow disease, formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy.