Starbucks Korea said on the 30th it will conduct a voluntary recall starting Feb. 2 for two humidifier models provided as giveaways in the 2025 winter e-frequency promotion.
Starbucks said the voluntary recall was a preemptive measure made with customer safety as the top priority after receiving reports of localized fires believed to be caused by battery overheating. Under the Product Safety Basic Act, Starbucks has completed reporting the product incident to the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and is discussing the voluntary recall procedure.
The voluntary recall covers all Starbucks humidifiers given to customers through the e-frequency from Oct. 30 to Dec. 31 last year, totaling 393,548 units. Starbucks urged customers who have the product to stop using it immediately.
The giveaway uses a battery that obtained KC certification under the Electrical Appliances and Household Products Safety Control Act. Starbucks is conducting an investigation into the exact cause of the incidents in cooperation with relevant authorities together with the supplier, Hanil Electric Co. Separate from the investigation, a preemptive recall was decided for customer safety.
Starbucks plans to provide a 30,000-won Starbucks mobile card online to all customers who return the humidifier.
To collect the products, a courier pickup service will begin via the Starbucks app on the 2nd of next month, and separate guidance on in-store returns will be provided in early February through the Starbucks app and the official website.
A Starbucks official said, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to our customers due to this incident, and we decided on a voluntary recall with customer safety as the top priority. We will carry out the related procedures swiftly and thoroughly."