Dunkin’ Donuts issues apology for causing worries over the reported unhygienic factory in S. Korea

Dunkin Donuts Korea recently caused a stir after a major local broadcasting network released a video supposedly showing an unhygienic factory. The clip that was shown in a report on KBS news this week led people to think about the unsanitary conditions where the donut products are baked.

According to HuffPost Korea, the video was filmed by an anonymous employee. The location was said to be the company’s donut factory in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, and it was reportedly filmed this summer.

The report was a shock to many because it showed dough with orange droplet stains, and this was assumed to have dropped from the ventilators above. There were also close-up screenshots of a donut frying machine that has black dirt on the sides, which they are suggesting to possibly be a mold.

HuffPost reported that BR Korea explained the black substance on the machine was not mold but oil. It also said that someone may not have cleaned the ventilation system, and this may have been deliberately done.

In any case, due to this incident, The Korea Herald reported that the Korean unit of Dunkin’ Donuts issued an apology. The donut chain also addressed the video that was shown in the news.

The apology was posted on Thursday, Sept. 30, via Dunkin’ Donuts Korea’s website. It was a short statement from Do Se Ho, BR Korea’s chief executive officer.

“We requested an investigation on the afternoon of the 30th and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also conducted an on-site inspection,” he said. “We are also checking and promptly taken measures (to address the issue). Dunkin will follow strict hygiene management and we will do our best to produce and supply safe products. About the fact that we made you feel comfortable, I deeply apologize.”

Meanwhile, in the latest development about this case, Korea Joongang Daily reported that the revolting video showing Dunkin’ Donuts’ factory video is a fraud. It was said that after the police investigation, it was claimed that the situation was faked by one of the workers.

Footage from a surveillance camera, recorded on July 28, was said to have shown an employee intentionally hitting the frying machine and pushing the oil droplets on the hood to fall on the dough. Lastly, the employee also scraped the oil stains on the hood and put them on the dough.