Starbucks Summer Carry Bag may be toxic, company now testing

Home > Business > Industry

Starbucks Summer Carry Bag may be toxic, company now testing

Published: 22 Jul. 2022, 14:38 Updated: 22 Jul. 2022, 16:27

Models show Starbucks’ Summer Carry Bag, a bag given to customers who purchased 17 Starbucks drinks between May 10 and July 11. [YONHAP]

Starbucks is looking into allegations that toxic chemicals have been found on one of its giveaway items.

Allegations started with an anonymous post on Blind, a social media application for company workers. A user, who claims to work for the FITI Testing & Research Institute, wrote that formaldehyde was found in the Starbucks Summer Carry Bag, a picnic bag given to customers that purchased 17 Starbucks drinks between May and July 11.

Although Blind is anonymous, the user’s workplace is revealed next to their nickname and they have to be verified using a company email address.

Formaldehyde is a chemical used in adhesives, disinfectants and preservatives. High levels of exposure is considered toxic, causing eye and throat irritations. It is categorized as a cracinogen.

Regarding the claim, SCK Company, which operates the Starbucks brand in Korea, said it is in talks with the company that makes the bags to see if formaldehyde was used to make the bags. SCK Company also requested the bags to be tested at a governmental research organization to check if the product actually does contain toxic chemicals.

Even if the Starbucks bags are found to have formaldehyde in them, the cafe franchise will not be obliged to recall the products. There are no safety standards for formaldehyde in bags if they are advised to be used for those 14 and older, according to the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards.

Starbucks states on the packing of the bag that the product shouldn’t be used by children under 14.

For children between ages 8 and 13, textile products, which includes bags, should contain formaldehyde less than 75 milligrams per kilogram.

Although the bag doesn’t go against government guidelines even with formaldehyde in them, the company said it will take neccessary measures, although not specified, once the results come out.

In June, various posts on social media claimed the same bag had a strong fish-like smell. Starbucks said that some products had a strong smell because the dye wasn’t dried properly at the factory, and that the smell will go away after a few days.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]