'Chinese cuisine master' Chef Lee Yeon-bok has apologized directly as some products from his food brand were suspended from sale due to hygiene issues.
On the 16th, Chef Lee Yeon-bok issued a statement through his social media, saying, "I sincerely apologize for having to convey this bad news."
On that day, Lee said, "Recently, the Escherichia coli level in Chef Lee Yeon-bok's 'Hanwoo Woogeoji Gukbap' product sold online exceeded the standard level, resulting in a suspension of sales by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety." He bowed his head and added, "Regardless of the reasons, I deeply apologize for disappointing and inconveniencing customers who trusted me and purchased the products."
He continued, "We have completed measures to dispose of the entire product and to ensure that it will never be distributed or produced again," and promised, "In addition, we will promptly proceed with refunds and necessary measures for customers who purchased Chef Lee Yeon-bok's 'Hanwoo Woogeoji Gukbap' through their purchase points. I take full responsibility for this matter and will do my best to respond."
Finally, Lee said, "I sincerely apologize again and will strive to maintain a responsible attitude to restore trust."
Earlier, according to a report by a media outlet on the 15th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety detected bacteria and Escherichia coli exceeding the standards in some products of 'Chef Lee Yeon-bok's Lipstick Hanwoo Woogeoji Gukbap' and immediately ordered the suspension of sales and recall of those products.
The problematic product was sold under Chef Lee Yeon-bok's brand 'The Mokran' and was produced by 'Nolda Food', a food manufacturing and processing company located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. The recall targets products that have a consumption date marked as July 7, 2026.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety advised, "Consumers who are storing the relevant products should not consume them and should return them to the place of purchase," adding that "the recall is being conducted under the supervision of Namyangju City Hall in Gyeonggi Province."
Full text from Lee Yeon-bok
Hello, this is Lee Yeon-bok.
First of all, I sincerely apologize for having to convey this bad news.
Recently, the Escherichia coli level in Chef Lee Yeon-bok's 'Hanwoo Woogeoji Gukbap' product sold online exceeded the standard level, resulting in a suspension of sales by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Regardless of the reasons, I deeply apologize for disappointing and inconveniencing customers who trusted me and purchased the products.
We have completed measures to dispose of the entire product and ensured that it will never be distributed or produced again. Additionally, we will promptly proceed with refunds and necessary measures for customers who purchased Chef Lee Yeon-bok's 'Hanwoo Woogeoji Gukbap' through their purchase points. I will take full responsibility for this matter and will do my best to respond.
I sincerely apologize again and will strive to maintain a responsible attitude to restore trust.
Yours sincerely, Lee Yeon-bok
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]