Dunkin’ Donuts caught using old coffee beans

Dunkin’ Donuts, the American chain known for the quality of its coffee, was accused yesterday by the Korea Food and Drug Administration of selling old coffee products.

The KFDA said it confirmed that Dunkin’ Donuts sold home coffee products made from raw materials that passed their expiry dates at its 274 stores across the country. It ordered the products recalled.

The products made from old coffee beans are Hand Drip Coffee Sumatra bearing the expiry date Sept. 16, 2013, and Hand Drip Coffee Colombia bearing a Sept. 23, 2013 expiry date

The KFDA confiscated 143,762 units from the total manufacturing volume of 150,230 products and issued a recall on the products already sold.

According to the KFDA, SPC Group affiliate BR Korea supplied raw materials and manufacturer Daic International mixed beans that had passed their expiration dates by nine to 26 days with fresher beans at a ratio of 9 to 1.

BR Korea, which operates Dunkin’ Donuts, distributed 13,544 units.

The KFDA indicted BR Korea officials who sold the products and a representative of Daic International without detention on charges of violating the Food Sanitation Law at the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office.

It urged purchasers to return the items and get refunds.

By Kim Jung-yoon [kjy@joongang.co.kr]