OSAKA -- Farm minister Tsutomu Takebe on Wednesday blasted disciplinary measures taken by Nippon Meat Packers Inc. over a beef mislabeling scandal as "incomplete and incomprehensible to the public," as ministry officials searched the company's offices in Osaka and Tokyo.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries investigation, at Nippon Meat's headquarters in Osaka and a Tokyo branch office, was the first since the company's beef-mislabeling scam came to light earlier this month.

The probe is intended to ensure that measures the company announced Tuesday will be taken, ministry officials said.