[All] [Latest] Were the kimchi bugs really "outside"? Why are the claims of the manufacturer and the poster so contradictory?

A social media post claiming to have found insects in the popular product "Gohan Ga Susumu Kimchi" has caused quite a stir. The poster claims that the insects were "inside the container," while the manufacturer explains that they were "attached to the outside." Even after reviewing the surveillance camera footage, no conclusion has been reached, and both sides remain at odds. We will thoroughly organize the details of the incident, including the container structure and the possibility of contamination, and provide a detailed explanation of the current situation.

 

 

 

table of contents   1. The origin of the incident and the content of the video that spread on social media 2. The poster explains why he was "sure he was inside" 3. Judging by the manufacturer's explanation of "external adhesion" and container structure 4. Comparison table summarizing the differences between the poster's and the manufacturer's claims 5. Reasons why it is difficult to judge: container structure, passage of time, limitations of surveillance footage Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

 

1. The origin of the incident and the content of the video that spread on social media

 

The current controversy began when a woman who bought "Gohan ga Susumu Kimchi" (rice-eating kimchi) at a supermarket in the Kansai region posted a video and photo on social media of what appeared to be an insect inside the container. The video showed a small insect moving around near the opening and closing of the container, sparking much discussion as to whether it was inside or outside. The way the video looks varies from person to person, and due to the influence of light reflections and the transparency of the container, it was difficult to determine whether the insect was inside at first glance, while at other times it appeared to be attached to the outside.

 

The woman explained that when she discovered the insect, she was "definitely inside," and that it was possible that the insect escaped in the short time it took her to return the product to the store. After the video was posted, it quickly spread, and attention was focused on the question of whether the insect was inside or attached externally on social media, and attention was also being paid to the manufacturer's response.

 

 

 

 

2. The poster explains why he was "sure he was inside"

 

The woman determined that the insect was inside the container after observing it for a few minutes after she first discovered it. From the time she discovered it until she reported it to the store clerk, the insect was moving along the film, so she could only assume it was inside. She speculates that it may have escaped through a gap in the packaging during the 5 to 10 minutes it took for the insect to be refunded.

 

When she checked the item with the store clerk at the time of the refund, it looked like the insects were on the outside, but the woman still maintained that "they were definitely inside when we discovered them." Security camera footage was also reviewed, but it was not possible to clearly identify where and at what point the insects were.

This ambiguity is the main reason why she feels that "the manufacturer's explanation that they were 'outside' is not convincing."

 

 

 

 

3. Judging by the manufacturer's explanation of "external adhesion" and container structure

 

Pickles Corporation explained that, based on information obtained when the product was picked up at the store, "the insects were on the outside of the container." The important point is that the lid was still unopened. The manufacturer's position is that, due to the container's structure, it is extremely unlikely for insects to get inside an unopened container.

 

Kimchi containers have processing steps to prevent expansion during fermentation, and small gaps can sometimes form inside the film strip. While the possibility of insects getting inside from the outside cannot be completely ruled out, it is said that cases of insects getting inside an unopened container are extremely rare. The manufacturer is currently in the process of asking an external analysis agency to investigate whether contamination is physically possible when the container is unopened.

 

 

 

 

4. Comparison table to clarify the differences between the poster's and the manufacturer's claims

Although the claims made by both sides are significantly different, there are some commonalities in the circumstances they have confirmed. Each explanation is summarized below.

 

item	Author's description	Manufacturer's description
Position of the insect at the time of discovery	It was recognized that he was inside the container.	No comments (emphasis on information at the time of return)
Position of insects when returned	It is speculated that it may have moved outside	It was confirmed that the substance was attached to the outside of the container.
Lid condition	No particular explanation	Confirmed it was unopened
Axis of argument	"He was definitely inside."	"It's hard to imagine that it was internally contaminated."
Future Actions	Waiting for the results of the analysis	Investigation by external organization continues

 

Both sides are making claims based on the situation at the time they observed it, so it is unlikely that this discrepancy will be resolved anytime soon.

 

 

 

 

5. Reasons why it is difficult to judge: container structure, passage of time, limitations of surveillance footage

 

What makes this issue difficult to pinpoint is that the structure of the container and the possibility of insect movement lend some credibility to both theories. There are tiny gaps in the film strip, and it is possible that small insects could move from the outside to the inside, or vice versa. However, there are many restrictions on how insects can get inside an unopened container, so there is some validity to the manufacturer's explanation that it is natural to assume that the insects were attached to the outside.

 

The woman brought the item back to the store about 15 minutes after it was discovered, so it's impossible to completely rule out the possibility that the insects had moved in that short space of time. While surveillance cameras captured some of the interaction, they didn't provide enough detailed information to pinpoint where the insects were, so it wasn't enough to draw any conclusions.

 

 

 

 

6. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. What was the first thing that went viral in the post?

The first to go viral was a video taken by a woman showing what appeared to be insects near the opening of the container, sparking debate over whether they were inside or outside.

 

 

Q2. How does the manufacturer explain the location of the insects?

The company explained that when it checked the product at the time of return, the lid had not been opened and the insects were found on the outside, so it was not believed that they were inside.

 

 

Q3. What is the difference between this and the poster's claim?

The poster claims that "he was definitely inside when the item was discovered," which is fundamentally inconsistent with the manufacturer's explanation.

 

 

Q4. How will the investigation proceed in the future?

An external analysis agency is currently examining the possibility of insects getting into the unopened packages, but the results are yet to be released.

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