Surprised After Eating 'Boseong Kkomak' After a Long Time... "Why Is It So Bitter?"

No Safety Issues Found, Analysis Shows

The Jeonnam province's representative specialty, cockles from Boseong, have developed a bitter taste, prompting fisheries authorities to investigate the cause.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Council and Boseong County on the 7th, from December last year to January this year, cockles produced in Boseong exhibited a bitter taste, leading middlemen to refuse distribution and consumers to request returns.

Photo to aid understanding of the above article. Pixabay

Boseong County stated, "It is presumed to be due to the consumption of a large amount of bitter-tasting animal plankton by the cockles," adding, "The exact cause or components have not yet been confirmed." It was analyzed that there is no safety issue.

Lee Dong-hyun (Boseong 2), a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, ordered a thorough investigation and prompt response during the Marine and Fisheries Bureau business report at the temporary session on the 5th.

Councilor Lee emphasized that cockles are a key industrial resource for Boseong County, encompassing not only fisheries but also the food service industry. He added, "Along with an accurate investigation of the cause, continuous monitoring and preparation of support measures are necessary."

Park Young-chae, Director of the Jeonnam Province Marine and Fisheries Bureau, said, "We have requested the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute's Namhae Fisheries Research Institute to identify the cause, and it has been confirmed to be harmless to humans," adding, "We will spare no effort in creating a stable aquaculture environment through farm purification and providing necessary support to fishermen."

The cockles farmed in Boseong amount to about 3,000 tons annually, accounting for approximately 70% of the national production.