A study found that even if you skip the broth and eat only the solids in malatang, you consume more than 80% of the recommended daily sodium intake.
The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) announced on the 11th the results of an investigation into nutrition facts and labeling practices for products from 20 major domestic malatang franchise brands.
The study showed that when only the solids were eaten from a bowl of malatang, excluding the broth, the average sodium intake was 1,630 mg. That is 81.5% of the daily nutrient reference value of 2,000 mg.
If the broth is also consumed, the sodium content averaged 5,380 mg, reaching 269% of the daily reference value. The average calories for products including broth were 976 kcal, and the fat content was 49 g, or 90.7% of the daily reference value.
Consumer harm cases related to eating malatang also continued. An analysis of 522 malatang-related harm reports received by the Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS) from January 2021 to May this year found that gastrointestinal health issues accounted for the largest share at 78.7%.
By age group, teens accounted for 35.9% and people in their 20s 34.4%, indicating that a substantial portion of all harm cases was concentrated among younger people.
It was found that the provision of information on allergens was also insufficient. Peanuts, which are commonly used in malatang, are a typical allergen, but among those surveyed 20 brands, eight did not provide allergen labeling or separate guidance.
However, under current law, the requirement to label allergens does not apply to food service establishments.
Based on the findings, the consumer agency recommended that malatang franchise operators reduce sodium and fat content and introduce in-store allergen labeling.
The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) said, "If possible, do not drink the broth and focus on the solids, and if you are allergic to specific ingredients, check whether those ingredients are used before ordering."