The agriculture ministry uncovered 879 cases of mislabeled food products last year but only disclosed 110 of them to protect the companies responsible, according to newly obtained documents.

The 879 cases involved companies that were issued warnings or guidance by the ministry, or its regional offices during the year, the documents show. The documents were obtained from the Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry through an information disclosure request.

An official said the ministry decided not to announce all of the cases because it might deliver "a big social blow" to firms that got caught up in mislabeling through simple negligence or temporary law-infringement cases. It therefore decided only to announce cases it considered "malicious" or required orders to take corrective measures.