"Five Million Sold, but Causes Asthma?"... Parents Alarmed by Ingredients in Chinese Merong Bar

[Financial News] The Chinese ice cream 'Merong Bar,' which has gained popularity on social media, has become embroiled in controversy over the safety of its food coloring.
According to the food industry on the 25th, Merong Bar, which was launched last September, surpassed popular products like Lotte World Cone and Melona to become the top-selling ice cream at GS25, with over five million units sold in just two months.
This sales figure only reflects purchases at GS25. Considering that Merong Bar is also sold through various e-commerce platforms and unmanned ice cream shops, the actual number consumed domestically is likely much higher.
Although Merong Bar is an ice cream, it does not melt and drip; instead, it transforms into a jelly-like texture that droops like a tongue. Its tongue-like appearance has made it especially popular among elementary school children.
Recently, concerns have arisen regarding the safety of the 'tar food colorant' and 'Cochineal' used in Merong Bar.
A look at the ingredients reveals that Merong Bar contains food colorants Yellow No. 4 and Blue No. 1. Yellow No. 4, a tar food colorant, is considered an asthma-inducing substance by the European Union (EU).
Blue No. 1 has also been linked to hyperactivity in children, leading to recommendations for restricted intake. For similar reasons, the United States of America (USA) has decided to ban the use of tar food colorants starting in 2027.
Jin, a woman in her 40s living in Mapo, remarked, "Even ice cream is now imported from China? My daughter, who is in fourth grade, asked me to buy it, so I did, but I won't let her eat it again."

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated that these colorants are not banned substances and that there are no issues as long as they are used within established limits.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), under the Special Act on the Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life, only Red No. 2 and Red No. 102 are prohibited tar colorants in snacks and ice cream for children.
Nevertheless, with ongoing concerns about the safety of Chinese snacks and ice cream, anxiety surrounding Merong Bar has not subsided.
In response to the controversy over these food colorants, the MFDS announced it will begin a 'Re-evaluation of Standards and Specifications for Food, etc.' in January next year. The ministry plans to comprehensively assess the safety of food colorants and use the latest technology to determine the appropriateness of each colorant.


[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter