JINI's Lamp Under Scrutiny: Alleged Violations of Country-of-Origin Labeling Regulations
A collaboration between BTS’s Jin and TV personality Baek Jong Won has come under scrutiny for allegedly violating country-of-origin labeling regulations. JINI’s Lamp, a company specializing in alcoholic beverages, is being investigated by government authorities following a complaint filed with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The complaint alleges that the labeling of ingredients in JINI’s Lamp’s IGIN highball drinks, specifically watermelon and plum flavors, may be misleading consumers about the origin of the ingredients.
The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, through its Yesan office, has initiated an investigation into the matter. If violations are confirmed, the case could progress to further scrutiny, referral, and potential administrative penalties. While the product labels accurately state the sources of the ingredients, a section of the company’s website mistakenly indicated that the ingredients were domestic, raising concerns about potential consumer deception.
Current regulations stipulate that food and beverage products can only be labeled as “Korean” if all ingredients, excluding water, sugar, and additives, are sourced locally. Any false or misleading labeling could lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment for up to seven years or fines up to ₩100 million KRW (approximately $71,900 USD). JINI’s Lamp, co-founded by Jin and Baek Jong Won in December 2024, oversees the production of the IGIN line, with sales managed by Baek’s affiliated distributor Yesandoga.
In response to inquiries about the situation, representatives from JINI’s Lamp stated that they are currently investigating the matter and declined to provide further comments. The company’s compliance with country-of-origin labeling regulations is under scrutiny, and the outcome of the investigation will determine any potential repercussions for the joint venture between Jin and Baek Jong Won.