Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Nestle baby foods recalled for unapproved additives
Gerber 3rd Foods Roasted Vegetable & Chicken Dinner marketed by Nestle Korea. / Courtesy of Nestle Korea
By Park Jae-hyuk
By Park Jae-hyuk
Nestle Korea has recently been ordered by the country’s food and drug authorities to recall some of its signature Gerber baby foods containing unapproved additives, according to industry officials, Tuesday.
The Korean branch of the Switzerland-based global food company has denied any safety problems of the products. But Korean mothers seem to be worried following the recent government measure, amid a growing concern for the safety of baby products here.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, three types of Gerber baby foods ― 3rd Foods Roasted Vegetable & Chicken Dinner, 3rd Foods Herbed Vegetable, Pasta & Chicken Dinner and Puffs Strawberry Apple ― have been withdrawn from the market since last month.
The products have been banned from sale for containing so-called “natural flavors” which are not approved here to be used in baby foods. SSG.COM, an official retailer of the products here, posted on its website simply that the products were “sold out.”
“The recall is not related to product safety, but to differences in regulations on natural flavors between Korea and the United States which manufactures the products,” a Nestle Korea official explained. “However, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to our customers.”
The company was also ordered last August by the Korean government to recall its German-made BEBA infant formula for a similar reason. Last March, several Gerber baby foods were withdrawn from the U.S. market for spoilage risks as well.
Critics pointed out that the Korean branch may have poorly inspected the imported products, failing to confirm whether they meet the safety standards of the country.
Currently, the month-long recall has yet to go viral among Korean mothers and the media, when considering similar controversies over Procter & Gamble (P&G) diapers and some other baby foods.
P&G Korea has faced recent criticism for allegations its signature Pampers baby dry diapers contain toxic materials such as dioxin and pesticides, in spite of the company’s continuous denial of safety problems.
Also, German-made Aptamil and some other imported infant formulas have been under fire for allegations of containing cesium, a radioactive substance, after a Japanese-based civic group raised the issue.
Still, most experts said Korean consumers’ fears on such products were exaggerated.
However, Korean consumers claim the international companies should be more considerate as consumers here have trauma following hundreds of deaths caused by toxic humidifier sterilizers, most of which were marketed by Oxy Reckitt Benckiser.