Ministry of Food and Drug Safety “Occurs during distribution in hot weather”
Combination with carbonic acid and oxygen causes odor
“There are no problems with the manufacturing process and safety”
Recently, the results of an investigation by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have come out regarding the odor controversy of Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s carbonated drink ‘Pepsi Zero Sugar’.
On the 29th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that the odor of ‘Pepsi Zero Sugar’ was caused by the contact with oxygen when the beverage ingredients leaked through the microscopic gaps in the bottle mouths created during the distribution process.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) jointly tracked odor-causing substances with manufacturers, and as a result, it was confirmed that microscopic deformations occurred in the bottle mouths of some products during the distribution process due to the recent increase in summer temperatures.
Gas components such as carbonic acid leaked out through the deformed crevice were adsorbed to the outside of the bottle mouth, and then reacted with oxygen in the air, changing into a smell like sweat.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, “We determined that the cause was that the gas component that came out of the crevice reacted with oxygen and turned into decanal and otanal, which are components that smell similar to sweat.”
Earlier, among consumers, it was pointed out that the product smells like underarms.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, “Decanal and Octanal are approved as food additives that can be used in food. We judge that there is no safety problem.” said.
In a statement, Lotte Chilsung Beverage said, “We will do our best to manage quality so that similar cases do not occur again through re-inspection of the production process, strengthening quality inspection, and measures to prevent recurrence, putting safety first.”
He added, “Even if there is a slight deformation at the mouth of the bottle due to the nature of the carbonated beverage, there is no problem with the safety of the contents as outside air does not enter the inside due to the high internal pressure.”
Reporter Lee Bo-bae, Hankyung.com [email protected]