Mikasa Foods distributed inedible tainted rice to 370 firms for edible purposes, more than four times the previously announced 85 firms, the farm ministry said Sept. 16.

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said it will stop selling contaminated imported rice within Japan and will instead send it back to the exporting country or incinerate it if hazardous materials are detected in the rice during quarantine.

The ministry said a company in Niigata has been found to have diverted tainted rice for edible use, bringing the total to four, including Mikasa Foods.

Mikasa Foods has been under fire for diverting to edible use imported rice that is designated for inedible use due to fungous contamination and pesticide residue.