Theborn Korea is under investigation by police for allegedly advertising cooking utensils made from industrial metal in a way that could be misleading for food use.
On the 30th, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul announced that it is investigating Baek Jong-won, the representative of Theborn Korea, and Theborn Korea for violating the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising.
Earlier, a complaint was filed with the National Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission alleging that Baek and Theborn Korea used barbecue equipment made of industrial metal, 'STS304 surface finish NO.1,' at regional festivals in 2023 and 2024, and posted guidance banners and certificates that made the equipment appear to be food-grade metal.
At that time, a banner set up by Theborn Korea at the festival site included the statement, 'Our barbecue equipment is made of stainless steel and has passed safety inspections,' along with a certificate from POSCO. The complainant argued that this certificate is unrelated to the food suitability certification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The police plan to summon the complainant for questioning before transferring the case to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, which has jurisdiction over Theborn Korea's address.