Baek Jong-won Faces Controversy Over Food Safety Violations
Baek Jong-won, the CEO of The Born Korea, has found himself embroiled in a food safety law violation controversy after using a pesticide sprayer to apply apple juice to meat. Following the backlash, The Born Korea stated that they complied with food safety regulations but will review all procedures for improvements.
On March 16, reports emerged that The Born Korea allegedly used inappropriate tools during the Hongseong Global Barbecue Festival in November 2023. The contentious moment can be seen on Baek's YouTube channel, where he suggested using a pesticide sprayer to apply sauce while grilling meat. On the festival day, an employee was seen using a pesticide sprayer filled with apple juice to coat the meat, which Baek enthusiastically endorsed, stating, "The apple juice is the most important."
According to the Food Sanitation Act, food-grade equipment must directly contact food or food additives, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regulates potentially harmful substances that could be transferred to food. This includes safety standards for raw materials, colorants, heavy metals, and more, aimed at preventing the ingestion of harmful substances.
One netizen claimed that Baek violated food safety laws and reported the incident to the National Civil Complaint Center and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Although the sprayer was labeled as containing apple juice, concerns were raised about whether the hoses and nozzles used were safe for human consumption, suggesting a potential violation of food safety laws.
Additionally, there were suspicions that the barbecue grill used at the festival was made from construction materials.
In response, The Born Korea issued a statement affirming their compliance with food safety laws but acknowledged the need for a thorough review and improvements. Regarding the use of the sprayer, they confirmed that there are no current legal restrictions but will refrain from using it based on recommendations from relevant authorities.
As for the grill controversy, they clarified that it was made from POSCO's 'Stainless Steel 304', ensuring food safety, and that they had displayed safety inspection notices at the festival to inform consumers.
Baek Jong-won and The Born Korea have faced ongoing scrutiny recently. Previously, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service reported that The Born Korea falsely labeled the origins of soy sauce, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), and agricultural processed products, leading to criminal charges for origin labeling violations. While the product containers displayed correct origins, online listings misrepresented foreign ingredients as domestic. Furthermore, The Born Korea has been involved in allegations of violating agricultural land laws, inflating prices of processed ham, and issues regarding the ingredient content of citrus beer.
