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(Photo= Yonhap news) |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Minyoung] Hite Jinro voluntarily recalled 240,000 cans of the beer "Filite Fresh" after a sticky substance was found in the product. In the process, a violation of the Food Sanitation Act was detected at the Gangwon plant where the product was manufactured.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced on the 17th that violations of the Food Sanitation Act, such as insufficient cleaning of beer filling machines, were discovered at two production sites of Hite Jinro's alcoholic products, following consumer reports of coagulated substances and diesel smells.
Upon investigating the Gangwon plant and other related sites where "Filite Fresh" was produced, it was found that the cleaning and disinfection management of the filling machines, which seal the beer in cans, were inadequate.
During the cleaning and disinfection process, both a detergent and a sanitizer should be used. However, on four occasions—March 13, March 25, April 3, and April 17—only detergent was used because the sanitizer had run out.
As a result, the beer filling machines became contaminated with lactic acid bacteria, which transferred to the product. During distribution, the lactic acid bacteria combined with carbohydrates and proteins in the product, resulting in coagulated substances, according to the MFDS.
The MFDS conducted standard and specification tests related to food poisoning bacteria on products manufactured on the same dates as those with coagulated substances, and all results were satisfactory.
Hite Jinro plans to recall 1.24 million cans of Filite Fresh. The company is expected to incur losses amounting to several billion won due to this issue.
As of the previous day, 1.18 million cans had been recalled, and there have been no additional reports of defective products to the MFDS.
Alphabiz Kim Minyoung (kimmy@alphabiz.co.kr)
