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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Theborn Korea, led by CEO Baek Jong-won, addressed allegations of violating food sanitation laws, stating that while it had complied with regulations, it would review all aspects and make improvements.
In a statement released on Sunday, Theborn Korea asserted that it "has followed the law" but added, "We will closely reexamine all matters and implement improvements as needed."
Regarding the use of a pesticide sprayer to spray apple juice, the company explained, "There are no current legal regulations prohibiting this practice. However, after consulting with the relevant department, we were advised to refrain from using it whenever possible, so we will discontinue its use."
As for the barbecue grill, Theborn Korea clarified, "It was made from POSCO's 'Stainless Steel 304' material, which has been verified as safe for food use. We also provided informational materials at the festival site confirming that it had passed a safety inspection."
The controversy arose after claims circulated on online communities that Theborn Korea used non-food-grade equipment at the 2023 Hongseong Global Barbecue Festival in November. In a video posted on CEO Baek Jong-won’s YouTube channel, an individual believed to be a Theborn Korea employee was seen using a pesticide sprayer to apply apple juice. Additionally, some viewers speculated that the barbecue grill appeared to be made from construction materials.
AlphaBIZ Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)