Ottogi "Suspicion of Mixed Chinese Seaweed... Prosecution Dismissed Without Charges"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Ottogi has been cleared of suspicions of mixing Chinese seaweed in its two products, ‘Ottogi Old-fashioned Seaweed’ and ‘Ottogi Old-fashioned Cut Seaweed.’

On the 2nd, Ottogi announced that Boyang Co., Ltd. received a dismissal of charges from the Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office on August 30, 2021, regarding violations of the Act on the Labeling and Advertising of Agricultural and Fishery Products and the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods.

The Korea Coast Guard had been investigating since January, applying seven charges including origin labeling violations and smuggling against Ottogi’s subcontracted food supplier located in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do. They suspected that domestic seaweed was sent to China, partially sold locally there, and the shortfall was mixed with Chinese seaweed.

After suspicions of Chinese seaweed mixing arose in March, Ottogi proactively recalled all products containing the questioned seaweed and awaited the resolution of doubts through the prosecution’s investigation.

An Ottogi representative stated, “Under the goal of providing customers with trustworthy, high-quality domestic seaweed, we have built decades of trust with our suppliers. We are grateful to announce that the prosecution’s dismissal of charges confirms that Ottogi’s efforts to supply premium seaweed to customers have not been in vain.”

Ottogi plans to select suppliers based on strict food management evaluation standards such as HACCP and FSSC 22000, and to ensure thorough raw material quality control through regular quality inspections and on-site audits.

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