Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

 

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] A popular convenience store item, melon cream bread, has been urgently recalled after a wave of consumer complaints over an unidentified foul odor.

An internal investigation revealed that the issue stemmed from a manufacturing error, in which durian flavoring—a tropical fruit known for its strong smell—was mistakenly used instead of melon flavoring during production.

According to a report by Channel A on April 1, posts began circulating on social media from consumers who reported a strong, unpleasant odor coming from the product. Some described the smell as resembling “sewage or feces,” saying it was impossible to consume.

The affected product is a cream-filled bread containing melon-flavored filling. As the smell significantly differed from the original product, consumers suspected spoilage and demanded refunds or exchanges through online forums.

In response to the growing complaints, Foodcore launched an immediate investigation. The company confirmed that an incorrect flavoring had been used at the production facility. Ingredients labeled as melon flavoring were, in fact, durian flavoring.

The manufacturer explained that the supplier had mislabeled the durian flavoring as melon flavoring, and acknowledged that its inspection process for incoming raw materials was insufficient.

Durian is widely known for its pungent and distinctive odor. Foodcore estimated that approximately 20,000 cream bread products containing durian flavoring had been distributed in the market. The company stated that it has since carried out a full recall of all affected products.

Foodcore also announced that it disclosed follow-up measures and response actions through its official website on March 31.

 

 

 

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