Mala Tang, a dish popular among youth, contains sodium levels significantly exceeding daily limits. Among the products surveyed, one exceeded the daily sodium limit by more than five times.
The Korea Consumer Agency announced on August 11 the results of its investigation into the nutritional content and allergen labeling of products sold by 20 major Mala Tang franchises in South Korea. The survey focused on the top 20 brands based on the number of franchise locations listed in the Fair Trade Commission's disclosure documents. The agency ordered products through delivery apps for testing.
The sodium content in a bowl of Mala Tang ranged from 3,231 to 10,192 mg, with an average of 5,380 mg. This is 269% of the average daily sodium limit of 2,000 mg. All 20 products surveyed exceeded the daily sodium limit per serving.
The highest sodium content was found in Hyangriwon Mala Tang, which contained 10,192 mg, or 509.6% of the daily limit. Marasunkou followed with 7,888 mg (394.4%), Yohamara21 with 7,590 mg (379.5%), and Lahwa Gongbang with 6,210 mg (310.5%). Even the lowest, Yami Mala Tang, had 3,231 mg, which is 161.6% of the daily limit.
Calories and fat content were also substantial. The average calorie count per bowl was 976 kcal, which is 48.8% of the daily limit of 2,000 kcal, while the average fat content was 49 g, reaching 90.7% of the daily limit of 54 g. Some products contained as much as 95 g of fat, exceeding the daily limit by 175.9%. The serving sizes varied significantly, ranging from 842 to 1,945 g, a difference of up to 2.3 times.
However, it was found that leaving the broth can significantly reduce sodium intake. In a study of Tanghua Kungfu Mala Tang, sodium content was 4,683 mg when including the broth, but dropped to 1,630 mg when only the solid ingredients were consumed, a reduction of 65.2%. Even in this case, it still represented 81.5% of the daily sodium limit.
Consumer safety reports related to Mala Tang have been consistently received. According to the Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS), there were 552 reports of related health issues from January 2021 to May this year. Among these, 358 cases (64.9%) involved symptoms like heartburn and abdominal pain, while 76 cases (13.8%) reported diarrhea and vomiting, indicating that gastrointestinal symptoms accounted for 78.7% of the total. Skin-related symptoms such as allergies, itching, hives, and dermatitis accounted for 73 cases (13.2%).
By age group, teenagers reported the most cases at 198 (35.9%), followed by those in their twenties with 190 (34.4%). Together, individuals in their teens and twenties made up 70.3% of the total.
Information on allergenic substances was also found to be lacking. Among the 20 surveyed stores, eight did not label or provide information on allergens. Four brands were found to use peanut sauce in their cooking without disclosing this information, while another four brands did not include peanut sauce in their basic preparation but could add it upon customer request without any related guidance.
Under current law, general food service establishments selling cooked foods, excluding children's favorite foods, are not required to label allergenic substances. The Consumer Agency plans to recommend that relevant authorities establish management measures for allergen labeling and guidance for cooked foods.
The agency has advised Mala Tang franchise operators to reduce sodium and fat content and to implement allergen labeling in their stores. In response, 18 operators have submitted plans to reduce sodium and fat, and the eight brands that previously did not provide allergen information have also committed to implementing such labeling.
Consumers are encouraged to choose vegetables and tofu instead of processed meats like ham or sausage and to leave the broth when consuming Mala Tang. Those with specific food allergies should verify whether the ingredients are used before placing an order.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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