Kkobuk Chip Corn Soup Flavor Recalled in Japan
Polysorbate Levels Exceed Standard
No Issues Domestically... Japan's Standards Stricter
Orion "Harmless to Humans... Considering Product Improvements"
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Some products of Orion's popular snack 'Kkobuk Chip' exported to Japan were found to contain emulsifier components exceeding the standard, leading to a recall.
According to recall information from the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency on the 4th, from February 1 to 20 this year, Orion's 'Kkobuk Chip Corn Soup Flavor' products sold mainly in retail stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area were recalled due to polysorbate content exceeding the standard. No separate administrative sanctions were imposed. Approximately 200 units of the product were sold, and it was reported that the products sold domestically and those exported were the same. The emulsifier was included in the seasoning used in the product.
Currently, most of the inventory of the products exported to Japan has been depleted, and Orion plans to collect all remaining products by the end of this month. Kkobuk Chip is currently exported to 17 countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The global cumulative sales have exceeded 200 million packs. It is known that no similar recall actions have been taken in countries other than Japan.
Polysorbate is widely used as an emulsifier to soften various processed foods such as snacks, ice cream, and bread. It is also frequently used as a surfactant and is widely used in cosmetics. It is also included in some vaccines. Some people are allergic to this component, and there are research results suggesting a possible correlation with obesity and diabetes.
This recall was caused by differences in food additive standards between Japan and Korea. In Japan, for other foods, polysorbate is considered unsuitable for distribution if it contains 0.02g or more per 1kg. Korea does not have a separate standard. However, it is regulated that when used in food, it must be used in the minimum amount necessary to achieve physical, nutritional, or other technical effects.
Orion had expected that the seasoning included in Kkobuk Chip would be classified as a sauce domestically and thus not subject to food additive standards. However, since it was classified as other food in Japan, a somewhat stricter standard was applied. Orion is reviewing measures such as improving the export products to exclude this component once the product recall is completed.
An Orion official said, "Polysorbate is a component commonly used in food and is harmless to the human body, and there is no separately established detection standard in Korea," adding, "This incident occurred due to differences in food additive standards by country, and we are conducting a voluntary recall and plan to improve the product to prevent such incidents in the future."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
