Baek Jong-won’s Paik’s Coffee issues apology over plastic container controversy

27th March 2025 – (Seoul) Baek Jong-won, renowned as the “Korean Chef,” has faced significant backlash following an incident at his coffee chain, Paik’s Coffee, where an employee heated bread in a plastic container in a microwave, causing the packaging to deform. The company later claimed this method was part of “internal guidelines,” prompting outrage from the public and leading to the necessity for customer compensation and a formal apology.

Reports from the Korea Economic Daily on 18th March revealed that during a customer’s visit, the staff member used a plastic container marked “PET” to heat the bread, which is not suitable for microwave use. This practice has sparked considerable anger online, particularly after the customer shared photographic evidence of the damaged container.

In response to the incident, The Born Korea, which operates Paik’s Coffee, issued a statement addressing the complaints. They acknowledged that the issue arose from a new employee’s oversight, despite having operational manuals in place. They expressed regret for the incident and confirmed that customers would be compensated.

The controversy intensified when the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety indicated that PET containers can release harmful substances when microwaved, contrasting with safer options like polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Following the uproar, The Born Korea reiterated their commitment to rectifying the situation, promising to enhance internal training procedures to prevent such occurrences in the future and ensure compliance with safety standards.

CEO Baek Jong-won has been under scrutiny lately, having previously faced criticism over product pricing and quality, as well as legal issues regarding misleading product origin claims. In light of these challenges, Baek has publicly apologised and committed to addressing the concerns raised by consumers.