By Yun Suh-young
The nation’s largest porridge chain apologized for the fact some of its outlets were accused of using recycled ingredients and lied about the origins of some of the ingredients.
Bonif, the parent company of the Bonjuk franchise that sells porridge, posted an official apology on its website Thursday, for the unhygienic conditions of some of its restaurants.
The apology came a day after an investigative TV journal laid bare the inside of the kitchens of some of Bonjuk’s outlets.
In the MBC TV program “Zero Complaint,” which specializes in reporting on consumers’ dissatisfaction, kitchen staff were caught on camera recycling ingredients to make porridge and failing to use foodstuff from the stated country of origin.
“We sincerely apologize for causing concern to our customers who have been loyal to our company for the past nine years,” said Kim Cheol-ho, CEO of Bonif, in an apology posted on Bonjuk’s website.
“After the program was aired, we conducted a complete inspection of all of our affiliated stores. During the process, five of our franchise restaurants were caught for failing to abide by the operation guidelines. We immediately suspended their businesses,” said Kim.
The suspended restaurants are the Sogong-dong, East Yeoido, Yongsan IPark, Sillim Yangji Hospital and Yeoido Station branches.
As for failing to use local ingredients as stated, the CEO explained that sometimes it is inevitable to use Chinese products due to an imbalance in orders and supply.
“About 12 percent of our ingredients are from China but they all go through careful inspection before they are shipped,” said Kim.
After the TV program aired Wednesday, the Bonjuk franchises suffered a sharp drop in sales the next day and received numerous complaints from customers.
In its official apology, the company requested customers to complain directly to the headquarters from now on so that immediate action can be taken to resolve issues.