Yuan
Yuanben Beverages
Yuanben Beverage Co.
REF: 2025-FS-07
Safety Response
Countering Rumors with Science:
Countering Rumors with Science:
Testing First, Communicating Clearly
Executive Summary:
Facing false allegations of expired ingredients and preservatives, Yuanben Beverages combined factory transparency with expert-led science communication. Within six hours, it released an ingredient traceability statement; within 24 hours, it published over 100 test reports; and within 72 hours, it brought experts into the public conversation. A disciplined process of withdrawal, retesting, and return to shelves resolved the crisis while strengthening the brand’s association with clean-label products.
01 / Context and Concerns
Context: Ingredient-Conscious Consumers, Growing Food-Tech Anxiety
A blogger questioned the unusually dark color of an oolong tea, implying that it contained preservatives. The video quickly attracted over 100,000 likes, fueling doubts about the brand’s “zero additives” claim.
Core Challenges
The Knowledge Gap: Consumers struggled to distinguish permitted additives from illegal substances.
Retail Channel Risk: Convenience stores and supermarkets faced pressure to remove the product and urgently needed proof of compliance.
Testing Coverage
100%
All affected batches submitted to SGS for testing
Expert Endorsement
5 Top
Joint communications with five heads of nutrition from top-tier hospitals
Return Rate
↓ 95%
Retailer returns fell sharply after 72 hours
02 / Response Framework
6h
T+6h: Traceability Statement and Commitments
Statement
Official Statement: Publish purchasing documents and goods-receipt records, with a commitment to end-to-end traceability.
Channel Notification: Issue a Quality and Safety Commitment Letter, pledging full compensation for any confirmed issues.
Channel Notification: Issue a Quality and Safety Commitment Letter, pledging full compensation for any confirmed issues.
24h
T+24h: Publish the Evidence
Data Disclosure
Test Report: Expedited SGS test results confirm that sodium benzoate and other tested preservatives were not detected.
The Process Explained: Publish an infographic explaining aseptic cold filling and the science behind why preservatives are unnecessary.
The Process Explained: Publish an infographic explaining aseptic cold filling and the science behind why preservatives are unnecessary.
72h
T+72h: Expert Insight and Tangible Trust
Public Education
Invite experts to explain how tea polyphenols oxidize. Announce an Open Factory Month and invite KOLs to visit in person.
03 / Rumors and Facts
RELATED PROJECTS
