‘Summer Carry Bag’ Confirmed to Contain Carcinogens... Starbucks Bowing Head

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Starbucks Korea has acknowledged and apologized for the detection of carcinogenic substances in its promotional item, the ‘Summer Carry Bag,’ and has announced compensation measures. While some have criticized the response as belated, and the government has launched an investigation, industry attention is focused on whether consumer trust can be regained.

According to the industry on the 31st, Starbucks Korea issued an official apology on the 28th, revealing that carcinogenic substances were detected in the Summer Carry Bag. As compensation, they announced they would provide either a Starbucks Reward Card worth 30,000 KRW or a newly produced promotional item.

Starbucks opened its first store in Korea on July 27, 1999, in front of Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and has grown to become the largest coffee brand in the country over 23 years, maintaining its number one position in the industry. As of the first quarter of this year, there are 1,674 stores nationwide, with last year’s sales reaching 1.9284 trillion KRW and operating profit amounting to 164.4 billion KRW.

The background of Starbucks’ growth includes not only diversification of its food and beverage (F&B) business but also the sale of various goods such as diaries, tumblers, carry bags, and mugs. Among these, goods have played a significant role in securing loyal customers and strengthening brand competitiveness. When new or limited-edition goods are released, customers often rush to purchase them at opening time, and on secondhand trading platforms, these items sometimes sell at a premium.

However, the goods that contributed to Starbucks’ growth have ironically become a stumbling block this year.

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

For products that had been opened for over two months, formaldehyde levels detected were 106 mg/kg to 559 mg/kg (average 271 mg/kg) in the outer shell and undetected to 23.3 mg/kg (average 22 mg/kg) in the lining. Starbucks had previously commissioned tests on the 22nd at a nationally accredited testing institution, examining five types and six samples of unopened products (one each of black, pink, red, cream, and two of green) and four types and five samples of products opened for over two months (one each of pink, red, cream, and two of green).

According to Starbucks, the formaldehyde standards for household textile products are set under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act (hereinafter referred to as the Safety Control Act), depending on whether there is direct or indirect human contact and the degree of continuous contact. The standard is 75 mg/kg or less for inner and intermediate clothing, and 300 mg/kg or less for outer clothing and bedding.

Starbucks stated, "Our Summer Carry Bag is classified as ‘other products’ such as bags, cushions, seat pads, or curtains that are not worn directly. Therefore, it was not subject to safety requirements for harmful substances, and no related standards existed. We sincerely apologize for the delay in interpreting the significance of the test results regardless of the reasons."

During the summer e-frequency event period, customers who have collected 17 e-stickers and exchanged them for a Summer Carry Bag will be provided with newly produced goods. Additionally, if customers do not wish to receive the goods, Starbucks plans to credit 30,000 KRW to their Starbucks Reward Card online in bulk. Separately, customers who bring their Summer Carry Bag to a store can exchange it for three free drink coupons until the 31st of next month.

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