How Can You Check Whether Your Perilla Oil Is Subject to a Recall?
Check the manufacturer, net volume, and expiration date printed on the bottle or packaging. Do not determine whether a product is affected based solely on the fact that it is perilla oil or on its name. Verify that all three details match the recall notice.
| Item to Check | Details of the Recalled Product |
|---|---|
| Product name | Perilla oil |
| Net volume | 350 mL |
| Expiration date | April 5, 2027 |
| Reason for recall | Benzopyrene exceeds the applicable limit |
If the expiration date or package size differs, do not assume that the product is covered by this recall. Check the label and compare the details with the official recall information to identify the product accurately.
How Much Benzopyrene Was Detected?
Applicable limit
2.0 μg/kg
Test result
4.8 μg/kg
Both figures use the same unit, allowing a direct comparison. The bar represents the relative size of the test result compared with the limit.
Based on the calculation, the test result was 2.4 times the applicable limit.
Test result: 4.8 μg/kg
Applicable limit: 2.0 μg/kg
Amount above the limit: 2.8 μg/kg
Calculation: 4.8 ÷ 2.0 = 2.4 times the limit
Benzopyrene is a substance that can form during food processing, among other processes. This product was recalled because laboratory testing found a level above the applicable limit. Consumers cannot determine benzopyrene levels by smell or color alone. Instead of relying on the product's appearance or taste, check its label and the official recall notice.
Where Should You Return the Recalled Perilla Oil?
If you have the recalled product at home, stop consuming it and return it to the retailer. Follow the guidance from South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and contact the seller from which you purchased the product to confirm the return procedure.
1. Check the manufacturer, package size, and expiration date on the bottle or packaging.
2. If all details match the recalled product, stop consuming it and do not use it in cooking.
3. Contact the store or seller where you purchased the product and ask how to return it.
4. Return the product according to the seller's instructions.
The recall guidance available here does not explicitly specify refund conditions for cases involving a missing receipt, a product received as a gift, or a bottle that has already been opened. In these situations, contact the retailer, explain your circumstances, and ask whether and how the product can be returned before discarding it or disposing of it yourself.
If you need to report a food safety concern in South Korea, you can call 1399, the food safety reporting hotline, or use the Korean smartphone app *Naeson-an* (My Hand), which provides food safety reporting services.
Do All Other Perilla Oil Products Need to Be Returned?
A separate recall involving perilla oil from another manufacturer was also announced in September 2026. Even if two products have similar names, check the individual recall information whenever their manufacturers or label details differ.
When checking recall and sales-suspension information on South Korea's Food Safety Korea website, search by product or company name, then compare the expiration date and package size shown on the detailed product information page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a product with an expiration date of April 5, 2027, automatically subject to recall?
Is it unsafe to consume the product if the bottle has already been opened?
If the product matches the recall details, stop consuming it regardless of whether it has been opened, and contact the retailer about the return procedure.
Can you identify benzopyrene by smell?
No. Smell and color cannot establish whether the benzopyrene level exceeds the applicable limit. First, check the product label and the official recall information.
Will I receive a refund if I return the product?
The recall guidance specifies that consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to the retailer. However, it does not specify a universal refund procedure or exceptions for customers without receipts. Contact the retailer to confirm the return and refund arrangements.
If the perilla oil at home has an expiration date of April 5, 2027, check the manufacturer and confirm that the package size is 350 mL. If all three details match, do not consume the product; returning it to the retailer is the priority.
