Ye Esther Addresses 'False Advertising Allegations' "Will Take Responsibility If Wrongdoing Is Revealed"

"No Claim of Illegality Is True at All"

Family medicine specialist and broadcaster Yeo Esther (58) denied allegations of false and exaggerated advertising related to the health functional foods she sells, stating, "The illegal claims are completely untrue."

On the 5th, Yeo Esther posted on the official Esther Formula website, "The claims of illegality made by the accuser are entirely false," adding, "We clearly state that all advertisements have undergone review by the Health Functional Food Association, the official agency entrusted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for advertising review."

Previously, a former MFDS director, Mr. A, filed a complaint with the police requesting an investigation into Yeo Esther for violating the Food Labeling and Advertising Act. The complaint alleged that Yeo Esther advertised on the online shopping mall of health functional food company E, claiming unverified benefits for disease prevention and treatment.

Yeo Esther explained, "Most of what the accuser claims to be illegal are excerpts from a magazine we operated to provide health information to consumers," emphasizing, "These are not descriptions of the products we sell."

She also stated, "To prevent consumer misunderstanding, we have clearly notified that the health information we provide is unrelated to the products we sell. We also proceeded after receiving an official letter from the Health Functional Food Association confirming that operating the magazine does not violate any laws."

Yeo Esther said she will fully cooperate with the police investigation. She added, "If our wrongdoing is revealed, we will of course accept appropriate punishment and take social responsibility," and "We trust that the investigative authorities will make a wise judgment regarding this complaint, and depending on the outcome, we will strictly hold the accuser legally accountable."