[Summary] "Voluntary Recall to Alleviate Concerns" Ottogi Faces Controversy Over Dried Seaweed Sold as Domestic Actually from China

Ottogi States "No Clearly Established Facts"

Photo by Ottogi Homepage Capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Food company 'Ottogi' is facing allegations that its 'domestically produced dried seaweed' contains seaweed from China. It has been reported that a supplier who delivers seaweed to Ottogi has been taking seaweed harvested in Korea to China and mixing it with Chinese seaweed for the past 10 years. In response to the controversy, Ottogi decided to voluntarily recall the product.

On the 11th, Ottogi stated that one of the three suppliers providing seaweed to the company is under investigation for violations such as false origin labeling. Among the three suppliers delivering seaweed to Ottogi, the problematic one is one of them.

Through its official website, Ottogi apologized, saying, "We sincerely apologize to our customers. Although no facts have been clearly confirmed yet, Ottogi has decided to voluntarily recall the product to alleviate customers' concerns and suspicions."

They added, "All Ottogi employees will do their best to supply better quality products to our customers," and "We sincerely apologize once again to our customers."

According to MBC's 'News Desk' report the previous day, the Coast Guard conducted a search and seizure at the supplier delivering seaweed to Ottogi and is investigating seven charges including false origin labeling and smuggling.

They are also investigating Ottogi, which received goods from the supplier, for violations of the origin labeling law. The Coast Guard is expected to refer the supplier and others to the prosecution.

The police believe that the supplier took seaweed harvested in Korea to China for secondary processing and mixed it with Chinese seaweed.

Dried seaweed undergoes two processing stages. The subcontractor in question is suspected of taking seaweed that was first processed domestically to China for secondary processing and mixing in Chinese seaweed leaves.

A representative from a local Chinese company claimed in an interview with MBC that Ottogi purchased seaweed around 2012-2013 and brought it to Korea.

When asked "How many tons did they buy?" he replied, "Countless. Very much," and when asked "When did it start?" he said, "It has been going on for a long time, starting around 2012 or 2013."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.