"How Many Preservatives Did They Add?"... Chinese Cake Sparks Controversy After Making 2 Billion Won in 30 Minutes

Controversy over preservatives as product's nine-month shelf life comes under scrutiny
"Limits of trust in influencer brands"

A dessert product launched by a famous Chinese influencer set explosive sales records shortly after its release, but its unusually long shelf life has sparked controversy over whether preservatives were added.

According to Jimu News in China on November 10, a crepe cake launched under the influencer Dong Yuhui's own brand sold 150,000 units within 16 minutes of the start of a livestream shopping broadcast. At one point, the number of simultaneous viewers exceeded 260,000, and the entire stock sold out in less than 30 minutes, generating more than 10 million yuan (approximately 2 billion won) in sales.

A dessert product launched by a famous Chinese influencer has come under fire over the use of preservatives. Baidu, China.

However, controversy erupted after people online learned that the product had a shelf life of nine months. Unlike ordinary cakes, which have a shelf life of only a few days, this product's unusually long shelf life prompted questions such as, "How many preservatives did they add to make the cake last nine months?"

As the controversy spread, the brand said, "The product is rapidly frozen and must be stored at temperatures of minus 18 degrees Celsius or below. Since low temperatures inhibit the growth of microorganisms and bacteria, no preservatives were added."

The outlet explained that the cakes are "rapidly frozen, sealed in two layers to keep out oxygen, and transported and stored through a frozen distribution system at temperatures of minus 18 degrees Celsius or below." It added that "because this environment prevents microorganisms from multiplying, a nine-month shelf life meets food safety standards."

Although reports have said there are no technical problems, consumers remain skeptical. Analysts say that consumers' resentment and distrust grew into a backlash because the influencer, who had promoted himself as a "meticulous expert who rigorously vets products on behalf of consumers," launched a product with a "nine-month shelf life."

Local media commented, "More influencers are putting their names on the line to enter the private-label business, but the moment they use packaging that trades on their name, they take on full responsibility for the risks posed by the product, going beyond the role of a mere seller." It added, "This controversy illustrates the limits of the trust consumers place in influencer brands."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.