Controversy Over Expiration Date of Popular Buldak Bokkeum Myeon in China... Samyang "Meets Chinese Standards"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] There is a controversy over the fact that Samyang Foods' Buldak Bokkeum Myun, which is popular in China, has different expiration dates for products sold domestically in Korea and those exported. In response, Samyang Foods stated that "all export products have a shelf life of one year" and that they are complying with regulations.

According to China’s Guancha.cn and other sources on the 10th, the expiration date of Buldak Bokkeum Myun sold in China is one year, which is twice as long as the domestic products sold in Korea.

Samyang Foods’ flagship store told Guancha.cn, "We are the importer, and all related products are produced at the Korean factory," adding, "The Korean manufacturer directly designs and prints the packaging in Chinese."

Chinese netizens have been sharing posts on Weibo and other platforms, along with photos, stating that "the expiration date of Buldak Bokkeum Myun sold in China is one year, but the product description on Samyang Foods’ official website says six months," which has garnered high views.

On Samyang Foods’ official website, the Korean-language page lists the expiration date of Buldak Bokkeum Myun as six months, while the Chinese and English pages state it as 12 months.

Guancha.cn explained, "The average shelf life of instant noodles in China is six months," adding, "After six months, the fats contained in the noodles gradually oxidize, and the peroxide value may exceed the standard."

The Chengdu Food Inspection Institute conducted ingredient tests on three types of Samyang Foods noodles that were over six months old at the request of Chinese media outlets, but it was reported that none exceeded the peroxide value standard.

With the recent popularity of mukbang content, Buldak Bokkeum Myun has gained popularity in countries such as China and the United States since 2016, leading to increased exports, with overseas sales accounting for 57% of Samyang Foods’ total revenue.

In an official statement on the day, Samyang Foods explained that "it is not that the expiration date was uniquely extended in China; all export products have a shelf life of one year," adding, "Export products are not as easily distributed as domestic ones, and the formulation for customs clearance is customized according to different food regulations and additive management standards in each country. In particular, only products that have passed shelf life tests by adding antioxidants such as tocopherol and green tea catechins to palm oil are released. The one-year shelf life for export products complies not only with Samyang Foods’ standards but also with domestic KS standards and Chinese standards," denying the allegations as untrue.

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