'Bulgari Controversy' Namyang... Boycott Movement Growing Despite Apology

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Namyang Dairy Products, which recently sparked controversy by announcing that its fermented milk product 'Bulgari' is effective in suppressing the COVID-19 virus, has finally apologized. However, criticism has arisen that the company exploited the desperate feelings of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a boycott movement.

According to industry sources and online communities on the 17th, despite Namyang Dairy Products' apology, the movement to boycott Namyang Dairy Products' products, including Bulgari, is growing.

In major consumer group online communities and local 'Mom Cafes,' posts are spreading urging people not to purchase not only Namyang Dairy Products' representative fermented milk products but also beverages and carbonated water. Some even suggest carefully checking the manufacturing plants of products that are not Namyang Dairy Products' brands but are produced under consignment at Namyang Dairy Products' factories and avoiding purchasing them.

Among parents, there is even a movement to check the brand of milk provided to children at elementary schools. A parent with an elementary school child, Mr. A, said, "Usually, at the beginning of the school year, parents are asked about their preferred dairy company and a decision is made, but this year it was not done, so there is an opinion that we need to check in the parents' group chat room," adding, "If there is a contract with Namyang Dairy Products, the parents will likely discuss measures among themselves."

Namyang Dairy Products issued an official apology four days after the 'Bulgari controversy,' but the spread of the controversy continues. Namyang Dairy Products stated, "At the cell experiment stage, the Korea Institute of Medical Science reported a 99.999% reduction of influenza H1N1 by Bulgari, and the Veterinary Medicine Health Research Lab at Chungnam National University reported a 77.78% reduction of COVID-19," adding, "Although we explained that these were results at the cell experiment stage during the announcement, the lack of human clinical trials led to misunderstandings among consumers by implying effectiveness."

Earlier, on the 13th, Park Jong-su, head of Namyang Dairy Products' Antiviral Immunity Research Institute, appeared as a presenter at a symposium hosted by the Korea Institute of Medical Science and announced, "We have confirmed that Bulgari has antiviral effects against COVID-19." Following this news, some retail stores experienced a Bulgari sold-out situation, and Namyang Dairy Products' stock price surged by up to 30% at one point. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety took administrative measures and filed charges on the 15th for violations of the 'Food Labeling and Advertising Act.'