[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] Major kimchi manufacturers and vendors in Korea use sugar and plum concentrate instead of aspartame. In contrast, about 90% of kimchi imported into Korea uses aspartame.

Aspartame is a type of artificial sweetener that can be sweet in a small amount and is often used in "zero carbonated drinks" due to its low calories. However, as it is likely to be classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 14th, some consumers seem reluctant to use it.

According to the industry on the 10th, Daesang (Jangajip), CJ Cheiljedang (Bibigo), and Pulmuone all said that they do not use aspartame in their products.

"We do not use aspartame for products not only in Korea but also overseas," said the producer of Jonggajip. "We use 100% of domestic materials and only use materials that are middle-class or higher among domestic materials."

"We have a stockpile and supply and demand system for stable supply of raw materials in droughts, floods and typhoons, so we have stable quality control," he said. "As lactobacillus and fermentation technologies determine the taste of kimchi, we have been doing related research with a separate kimchi research institute for a long time."

Not only does it not use aspartame, but it also cares about other ingredients to improve quality. CJ CheilJedang, which produces Bibigo kimchi, also does not use aspartame.

Pulmuone also said, "There is no product that uses aspartame itself," adding, "We have been using less than food additives approved for the right food."

Unlike domestic kimchi, aspartame is mostly used in kimchi imported from China and other countries.

According to imported kimchi raw materials released to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 1,525 kimchi containing aspartame out of 1,737 kimchi imported from June 1-30. This is equivalent to 87.79% of the total imported kimchi.

In terms of volume, 22,632 tons of Chinese kimchi are imported. The price is $ 12.628 million (about 16.49848 billion won).

 

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