"Other Companies' Goods Should Be Fine, Right?" MZ Generation Feels 'Anxious' Over 'Seubuk Goods' Quality Controversy

Starbucks Goods 'Summer Carry Bag' Officially Confirmed to Contain Carcinogens, Apology
"Quality Team Expansion and Reorganization... Strengthening Related Verification Processes"
What About the 2030 Hobby of 'Goods Collecting'?

Recently, Starbucks issued an official apology regarding the quality controversy of its merchandise. Among consumers, concerns about the quality of other companies' merchandise are also growing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Are other goods okay?" , "For now, I plan to put the collected goods in a box and organize them."

As it became known that formaldehyde, a Group 1 carcinogen, was detected in Starbucks' e-frequency product 'Summer Carry Bag,' anxiety is growing among the MZ generation who collect goods.

There is skepticism about whether other goods are safe when carcinogens are found even in goods operated by large corporations. So far, the distribution industry has conducted so-called 'goods marketing' targeting the MZ generation with limited edition goods and others aimed at them.

On the 28th, Starbucks stated in an apology, "On the 22nd, we requested related tests from a national professional certified testing agency and conducted tests on 5 types and 6 samples of unopened product samples and 4 types and 5 samples of products that had been opened for 2 months." They added, "We sincerely apologize for the delay in interpreting the meaning of the test result figures, regardless of the reason."

According to Starbucks, the test results showed formaldehyde levels in the Summer Carry Bag as follows: on the outer surface of unopened products, 284mg/kg to 585mg/kg (average 459mg/kg), and on the inner surface, 29.8mg/kg to 724mg/kg (average 244mg/kg). For products opened for 2 months, the outer surface showed 106mg/kg to 559mg/kg (average 271mg/kg), and the inner surface showed non-detectable to 23.3mg/kg (average 22mg/kg).

The formaldehyde standard for household textile products is known to be determined by the Electrical Appliances and Household Goods Safety Control Act, depending on whether there is direct or indirect contact with the human body or the degree of continuous contact. For innerwear and mid-layer clothing, the standard is 75mg/kg or less, and for outerwear and bedding, 300mg/kg or less.

However, the Summer Carry Bag is classified as 'other products' along with bags, cushions, seat pads, or curtains that are not worn directly, so it is not subject to safety requirements for harmful substances and has no related standards.

Starbucks 'Summer Carry Bag'

◆ "It feels uneasy anyway" MZ Generation anxious over goods quality controversy

Kim, a company employee in his 20s, said, "Isn't Starbucks a large corporation?" and added, "Shouldn't other companies also conduct a full inspection?" He also said, "For now, I am thinking of storing the goods I have at home separately." Another office worker in his 30s, Park, emphasized, "If carcinogens are detected, isn't it really serious? I think goods from other companies also need to be inspected."

The reason for such anxiety among people in their 20s and 30s is that they have shown great interest in goods. According to a 2020 survey conducted by an online part-time job portal, 81.3% of the millennial generation viewed the 'goods trend' positively. The most common reason was "because it feels good to have a limited edition of a few (58.8%)," followed by "because I can access preferred brand or celebrity products more often (45.2%)," and "because collecting goods is fun and a hobby (37.1%)."

As a result, companies have also used limited editions and rarity as marketing tools targeting the MZ generation, who invest generously in consumption for themselves. This is why the recent Starbucks goods controversy cannot be taken lightly by the MZ generation.

An industry insider said, "Although the Starbucks case cannot be generalized, consumers can feel anxious, especially those in their 20s who like goods may feel even more so." He added, "From a company's perspective, they must manage carefully to prevent such incidents and quickly acknowledge and apologize to customers if problems arise."

Meanwhile, Starbucks plans to provide newly produced goods to customers who exchanged 17 e-stickers collected during the e-frequency period for the Summer Carry Bag. If customers do not want the new goods, Starbucks will credit 30,000 KRW to their Starbucks Rewards card online. For web members who have not registered a Starbucks card, a 30,000 KRW 'Starbucks e-Gift Card' will be sent via MMS.

Separately, the ongoing exchange measure providing three beverage coupons will continue until the 31st of next month. Starbucks also plans to strengthen the verification process related to quality at the company-wide level. To this end, they will expand and reorganize the quality management organization, hire experts, and establish a systematic system. They emphasized that for all products released under the Starbucks brand, they will establish stricter internal safety standards regardless of national safety standards in cooperation with industry experts.

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