Hyundai Department Store is facing an investigation over allegations that its café "Drink Store" prepared and sold oolong tea containing pesticide residues exceeding permissible levels, and it has promised customer refunds and measures to prevent recurrence.
According to Hyundai Department Store on the 16th, the store issued an apology on its website under the name of CEO Jeong Ji-young on the 14th, stating, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has referred Drink Store to the prosecution on charges of illegal import and sale," and added, "It is expected that the facts will be confirmed through future legal procedures including the prosecution's investigation."
It added, "To alleviate customers' concerns and suspicions, we immediately suspended Drink Store's operations following the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's related press release," and noted, "We plan to take all necessary actions, including refunds, for customers who purchased Drink Store products at the Trade Center and Jungdong stores during that period as a proactive customer protection measure."
Earlier, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety revealed that from April to September last year, illegally imported tea products were prepared and sold at Drink Store locations in Hyundai Department Store's Trade Center and Jungdong branches, and pesticide residues exceeding permissible levels were detected in oolong tea. The pesticide residue known as "Dinotefuran" was found in the oolong tea, which is a type of insecticide that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness, necessitating special caution in handling.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Drink Store used the violating products at two Hyundai Department Store locations for approximately five months from April to September last year. It sold 15,890 cups of tea and beverages, totaling 80 million won during that period. The Ministry has referred Mr. A, the representative of Drink Store, to the prosecution on charges of illegal import and sale, including for Taiwanese oolong tea.