Bulgaris yogurt drinks are on display at a discount store at Seoul on April 14, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Namyang Dairy Products Co., a major South Korean dairy firm, is facing a strong backlash after claiming that its product can help control the novel coronavirus.
In a symposium held on Tuesday, the company suggested that its Bulgaris yogurt drink was identified as being capable of killing the virus that causes COVID-19 as well as other viruses.
Thereafter, however, experts including those at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency criticized the company for exaggerating its research results.
Although the company made a public apology for causing a misunderstanding, an increasing number of consumers are joining the boycott against Namyang Dairy products.
Some netizens shared a doctored image of a Bulgaris innoculation instead of COVID-19 vaccines.
Namyang Dairy saw its sales decline steadily since 2013, when some consumers began a boycott after controversy over its unfair trade practices like forcing excessive sales on small distributors.
Over the past eight years, the firm saw its share price fall by two thirds, with its market capitalization sliding to about 460 billion won.
Namyang Dairy’s corporate image has been tarnished again this time amid criticism over its misleading ‘COVID-19 marketing.’
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
