'Bug Infestation' Sundae Controversy Sparks Backlash on Famous Franchise...Company Calls It "Malicious Report"

Domestic Famous Franchise and Large Mart Supply

On the 2nd, an internal process video of A Sundae manufacturer released by KBS showed water dripping from the factory ceiling mixing with the seasoned glass noodles inside the Sundae.
/Photo by KBS '9 o'clock News' video capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Amid reports that a sundae (Korean blood sausage) factory produced sundae in unsanitary conditions, it has been revealed that the manufacturer supplied products to well-known domestic franchise snack shops.

Earlier on the 2nd, KBS released internal footage of 'Jinseong Food' filmed earlier this year. The video showed water dripping from the factory ceiling mixing with the seasoned glass noodles inside the sundae. A former employee of the company explained in an interview with KBS, "(The water dripping from the ceiling) is from frozen pipes or somewhere that thawed and is dripping."

The footage also showed insects attached under a large steamer used to steam the sundae and frozen pig intestines, used as the casing for the sundae, being thawed on the bare floor.

Another released video captured several types of already made sundae, such as sticky rice sundae and nude sundae, being ground together. The whistleblower claimed, "The company repackages products that are difficult to sell by using them as ingredients for new sundae."

According to Jinseong Food’s website, the company has supplied its products since 2014 to Jaws Tteokbokki, School Food, Gukdae Tteokbokki, Dongdaemun Yeopgi Tteokbokki, CJ Freshway, among others. It is also known to have supplied some large supermarkets.

As the controversy grew, the distribution industry halted sales and initiated recalls of Jinseong Food’s sundae products. On the same day, E-Mart stated, "We have already stopped selling the controversial products" and "We will inform customers and proceed with refunds."

GS Retail also said, "It has been identified that some companies supplying processed sundae products used sundae from the controversial manufacturer as raw materials," adding, "We immediately stopped sales, collected the products, and plan to issue refunds."

Notably, School Food denied receiving sundae from Jinseong Food. In a statement, School Food emphasized, "We received Jinseong Food products from October 2014 but have not done so since May 2018 as the transaction ended."

Jinseong Food issued a statement on the 3rd regarding the controversy over unsanitary sundae production.
Photo by Jinseong Food website capture

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, Jinseong Food issued an official statement on its website. The company apologized, saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern," but added, "The broadcast content is a malicious report made out of spite by a former employee who left under unfavorable circumstances."

Regarding the scene of water dripping from the ceiling, they explained, "Water fell from the drainage pipe due to freezing in February," and clarified, "There was absolutely no filling or product contamination; all seasoning in the filling tanks was immediately discarded, and the freezing damage has been repaired with no current issues."

As for the larvae and flying insects on the floor, they stated, "We found a gap in the corner of the drainage area in the steaming room during a holiday and treated it with the maintenance team and pest control company," adding, "The steamer was not operating during the holiday, and since the steaming pots are completely sealed during steaming, insects cannot enter."

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