[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Namyang Dairy apologized on the 16th for recently announcing that their product ‘Bulgari’ was effective in suppressing COVID-19, saying, "We apologize for causing misunderstandings related to COVID-19 among consumers." This came three days after the controversy erupted.
Namyang Dairy stated, "At the cell experiment stage, the Korea Institute of Medical Science reported a 99.999% reduction of influenza H1N1 by Bulgari, and the Department of Veterinary Medicine’s Health Research Lab at Chungnam National University reported a 77.78% reduction of COVID-19." They added, "Although we explained during the announcement that these were results from the cell experiment stage, since no human clinical trials have been conducted, it is not possible to conclude effectiveness, but it caused misunderstandings among consumers." They further promised, "Based on the results from this cell experiment stage, Namyang Dairy will verify the efficacy and value of fermented milk through animal and clinical trials, and will strive to research and develop products that can contribute to the improvement of public health in the future."
Earlier, Park Jong-su, head of Namyang Dairy’s Antiviral Immunity Research Institute, presented at a symposium hosted by the Korea Institute of Medical Science on the 13th, announcing, "We have confirmed that Bulgari has antiviral effects against COVID-19." Following this news, Bulgari sold out in the market, and Namyang Dairy’s stock price surged by up to 30% at one point. On the 15th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety took administrative actions and filed charges for violations of the 'Food Labeling and Advertising Act.'
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
