Popular Korean coffee chain's ”plastic container” debate heats up; ”rookie mistake” revealed

Baek Jongwon, a famous Korean chef, is the president of THE BORN KOREA, which operates the franchise "PAIK'S
The BORN COFFEE restaurant was criticized for heating a plastic container containing bread in a microwave oven.
Korea explained that the problem was caused by a mistake made by a new staff member.
Korea released an official statement, saying, "We have confirmed the matter, and have once again apologized to the customer, and have immediately refunded the items purchased from the relevant stores."
"We have issued a request for correction and have re-educated all employees to comply with the manual," the company explained. It also said, "We will take every possible measure to ensure store management to prevent similar complaints from recurring in the future."
The issue first surfaced on an online community on the 14th of this month when a claim was made that "bread was served at Baektabang after being heated in a microwave in a plastic container."
The controversy arose after a post titled "Bread is a deformed sausage bun sold at Baektabang, still in its deformed plastic case."
"When I asked for it to be warmed up, it was heated (in a microwave) with the plastic still in it and given to me in a deformed state," he posted.
When Mr. A inquired about this matter to the head office, he was told, "There is no problem.
According to A, THE BORN KOREA responded, "It's a very sensible response." According to A, THE BORN KOREA responded, "It's not made of a material that generates environmental hormones, so it's not suitable for heating in the microwave in the container.
In fact, it is said that the lid of the Baektabang packaging container says "PET."
According to a document on microwaveable plastics, the material of the container determines whether it can be used in a microwave oven. Unlike PP and HDPE, materials such as PET can be used in a microwave oven.
It is not suitable for use as it may emit harmful substances or melt. Meanwhile, The Born Korea has recently been embroiled in controversy over product quality and legal violations.
Recently, the Korea National Agricultural Products Quality Control Service determined that THE BORN KOREA had falsely indicated the origin of soy sauce, miso, and agricultural and forestry processed products, and indicted CEO Baek on charges of violating origin indication.
In November 2023, he was accused of using a pesticide duster to spray apple juice at a festival in the area where THE BORN KOREA is located, and of stealing materials from a construction site.
Suspicions were also raised that the barbecue grill used was similar to that used in the past. In addition, the price of the "Baekham Gift Set" that Baek promoted on YouTube ahead of the Lunar New Year (Seollal) was also revealed.
In addition to the allegations of price gouging, safety concerns were also raised after a video was released showing food being cooked next to LPG cylinders indoors at The Born Foodservice Industry Development Institute.