Starbucks Apologizes for Carcinogenic Freebies... What Are the Compensation Plans?

Starbucks' Summer Carry Bag.

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Starbucks Korea has acknowledged and apologized for the detection of carcinogenic substances in the promotional item ‘Summer Carry Bag,’ drawing attention to the compensation measures.

According to industry sources on the 29th, Starbucks Korea issued an official apology the day before, revealing that carcinogenic substances were detected in the Summer Carry Bag and announced compensation options including a Starbucks Reward Card worth 30,000 KRW or a new promotional item.

During the summer e-frequency event period, customers who collect 17 e-stickers and exchange them for the Summer Carry Bag will be offered newly produced merchandise. Additionally, if customers do not wish to receive the new merchandise, Starbucks plans to credit 30,000 KRW to their Starbucks Reward Card online in bulk. Separately, customers who bring the Summer Carry Bag to stores will be able to exchange it for three free drink coupons until the 31st of next month.

According to the formaldehyde detection test results disclosed in Starbucks’ apology, the outer shell of unopened Summer Carry Bag products showed formaldehyde levels ranging from 284 mg/kg to 585 mg/kg (average 459 mg/kg), and the lining showed levels from 29.8 mg/kg to 724 mg/kg (average 244 mg/kg).

For products that had been opened for two months, formaldehyde levels detected were 106 mg/kg to 559 mg/kg (average 271 mg/kg) in the outer shell, and non-detectable to 23.3 mg/kg (average 22 mg/kg) in the lining. Starbucks had previously commissioned a national professional accredited testing agency on the 22nd to conduct tests on five types and six samples of unopened carry bags (one each of Black, Pink, Red, Cream, and two of Green) and four types and five samples of products opened for two months (one each of Pink, Red, Cream, and two of Green).

According to Starbucks, the formaldehyde standards for household textile products are determined by the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act) based on whether there is direct or indirect contact with the human body and the degree of continuous contact. The standard is 75 mg/kg or less for innerwear and mid-layer clothing, and 300 mg/kg or less for outerwear and bedding.

Starbucks stated, "Our Summer Carry Bag is classified as ‘other products’ along with bags, cushions, seat pads, or curtains that are not worn directly, and therefore is not subject to harmful substance safety requirements, so no related standards existed. We sincerely apologize for the delay in interpreting the significance of the test result figures regardless of the reasons."

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