Starbucks 'Summer Carry Bag' 70% Recalled... "Recall Speed Is Very Fast"

700,000 out of 1.07 million... 3 Weeks Left
Starbucks "Doing Our Best to Retrieve Remaining Stock"
Song Hoseop, CEO, Summoned as Witness at Environment and Labor Committee Hearing

Starbucks Korea has initiated a full recall of the customer giveaway item "Summer Carry Bag" after detecting the carcinogen formaldehyde. Photo by Starbucks

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Starbucks Korea's customer giveaway item, the 'Summer Carry Bag,' which was found to contain the carcinogen formaldehyde and has been subject to a full recall, has been recovered at a rate of 70%.

According to Starbucks on the 22nd, out of the 1,079,100 units released to the market, about 700,000 units, or 70%, have been recalled.

The quantity Starbucks decided to recall includes 1,062,910 units provided as promotional gifts and 16,200 units sold through affiliated company online panels.

The Summer Carry Bag is a travel bag introduced as a giveaway item during Starbucks' e-frequency event this summer. After the item was distributed as a giveaway, it was found to contain a small amount of the carcinogen formaldehyde, prompting a full recall.

Starbucks is providing three free drink coupons per recalled product, and customers who received the Summer Carry Bag through e-frequency stamp accumulation are given three free drink coupons plus a Starbucks gift certificate worth 30,000 KRW.

The recall period lasts until the 11th of next month, leaving about three weeks remaining.

A Starbucks official stated, "The recall process is proceeding very quickly," and added, "We will do our best to ensure the remaining quantity is recalled promptly and safely."

Meanwhile, Song Hoseop, CEO of SCK Company (formerly Starbucks Coffee Korea), has been requested as a witness for the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee's audit regarding the carcinogen detection controversy of the Summer Carry Bag. Ahead of the regular executive personnel appointments next month, Shinsegae Group has been conducting an internal audit of Starbucks' organization and personnel since last month. Attention is focused on whether the audit results will affect personnel decisions for key executives, including CEO Song, in this upcoming appointment.

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