Subway Korea pulls lobster promotional plates after cadmium found above safety limit

Safety alert over lobster promotional plates

Subway Korea has recalled all ceramic plates that were given away with its new lobster sandwich promotion after government testing found cadmium release far above the national safety threshold. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) ordered the products off the market. The chain halted distribution, posted a public apology, and told customers that return instructions will follow.

Regulatory laboratories measured cadmium release between 4.2 and 5.3 micrograms per square centimeter. South Korea’s limit is 0.7 micrograms. The affected items, 160,000 plates manufactured in China, were distributed to buyers of the limited edition lobster sandwich from November 18 to November 24.

Customers had already reported that the printed lobster design on the plates faded when the surface contacted moisture or oil. Subway Korea is offering 8,000 won coupons to recipients of the free plate and said it will keep accepting applications while MFDS and company inquiries continue.

Authorities allege that the Korean importer, SRG, submitted photos of a different product during import procedures to avoid deeper inspection. The ministry said it will seek administrative penalties and has referred the matter to the police. The company said the recall applies to the promotional plate and not to food served in restaurants.

Subway Korea operates 656 restaurants nationwide. The brand began serving in Seoul in 1991, was incorporated locally in 2005, and is a wholly owned unit of the global franchise acquired by Roark Capital in 2023.

What inspectors found and what it means

MFDS said precision tests at the Gyeongin Regional Food and Drug Safety Office confirmed that cadmium release from decorated surfaces exceeded the legal limit by a factor of six to eight. In food contact materials, cadmium can migrate from colored glazes or printed decals onto food, especially when an acidic dish or hot liquid is placed on the surface.

The legal limit cited in this case, 0.7 micrograms per square centimeter, is a release standard used for evaluating whether heavy metals migrate from the surface that touches food. It is a very small quantity, but regulators set strict thresholds because even small amounts, when repeated regularly, can add to a person’s exposure.

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal and a recognized carcinogen. High exposure can injure kidneys and weaken bones. Consumer products usually do not expose people to such levels in a single use, but plates or mugs that steadily release heavy metals into food can contribute to cumulative exposure.

What the early defects signaled

Before the lab results were public, buyers had flagged a practical warning sign. The lobster motif on the plate, a transfer print applied to the eating surface, was peeling or fading when it touched water or oil. That flaw suggests the ink and protective coat were not properly bonded during firing, which increases the chance that pigments could leach during daily use.

Decorative decals can be safe when sealed under a durable layer and fired correctly. When adhesion is weak, normal use, scrubbing, or contact with acidic foods can wear away the design and make it easier for colorants to migrate. The MFDS numbers indicate the problem went beyond cosmetic durability.

What Subway Korea says it will do next

Subway Korea posted an apology and stopped handing out the item. The chain said detailed return instructions are coming and that customers who already received a plate should stop using it.

While the investigation proceeds, the company is issuing 8,000 won vouchers as a gesture to affected customers. Applications are being accepted through the company’s channels. The recall does not affect regular tableware used inside Subway restaurants.

Once MFDS finalizes its action, the company is expected to outline collection points or courier options and explain how to verify eligibility for compensation. Customers can prepare by keeping any proof of purchase or in app receipts tied to the promotion.

How to handle the recalled plate safely

• Stop using the plate for any food or drink.
• Store it in a sealed bag or wrap to limit contact with household surfaces.
• Keep it away from children.
• Do not microwave, heat, or scrub the surface.
• Wait for official return instructions from Subway Korea or MFDS.

Importer under scrutiny, manufacturer identified

According to MFDS, the plates were imported by SRG, a food import and sales firm based in Gimpo in Gyeonggi Province. Regulators said SRG submitted photos of a previously approved product during import declarations in an apparent attempt to avoid a precision inspection.

The ministry said it will seek administrative penalties and pursue legal action, and has referred the case to the police. The agency said the batch totaled 160,000 plates, weighing 44,800 kilograms, and was manufactured by SHULOPAL Guangzhou in China.

Submitting incorrect documentation can lead to sanctions under Korean law. MFDS can order recalls, impose fines, and bar importers that violate safety rules. A police referral signals that the case could lead to criminal charges after investigation.

How Korea enforces safety on dishware

Korea’s food safety law covers materials and articles that contact food, including ceramic tableware. Importers must submit documents describing the product, the materials used, and factory test results. When risks are flagged, MFDS laboratories carry out precision tests. If a product fails, the agency orders a recall and can direct companies to contact buyers, remove stock, and dispose of or export the items.

Release limits for heavy metals are set at very low levels to reduce long term accumulation in the body. Comparable frameworks exist in many other markets, with the shared goal of preventing hazardous migration from food contact surfaces under normal use.

Why cadmium shows up in colored glazes and prints

Cadmium based pigments have long been used to create bright red, orange, and yellow colors in ceramics. Modern producers have moved to safer alternatives or encapsulated pigments, and they cover decorations with a stable glassy layer that resists leaching.

When the protective layer is thin, poorly fused, or missing, pigments can be exposed at the surface. Contact with acidic food, such as a tomato based dish or vinegar, can accelerate the release. Heat, long contact time, and heavy scrubbing also increase wear.

What consumers can do if they are concerned about heavy metals in plates and mugs

Choose undecorated eating surfaces or designs placed on the rim or the underside, not on the area that contacts food. Buy from brands that certify their products meet food contact standards. Follow care instructions for any decorated ceramic item and consider using heavily decorated pieces for display rather than daily dining.

If you already used the recalled plate, the practical step is to stop using it and follow return instructions. Routine exposure from short use is unlikely to cause immediate symptoms. People with specific health concerns can discuss exposure with a clinician. The recall targets a defined promotional item. It does not apply to other Subway tableware.

Key Points

• Subway Korea recalled lobster promotional plates after MFDS found cadmium release six to eight times the legal limit.
• 160,000 ceramic plates made in China were given to buyers from November 18 to November 24.
• Customers reported fading or peeling designs when exposed to moisture or oil.
• Subway halted distribution, issued an apology, and is offering 8,000 won vouchers while return guidance is prepared.
• MFDS said importer SRG submitted photos of a different product to avoid inspection and referred the case to police.
• Tests measured 4.2 to 5.3 micrograms per square centimeter, above the 0.7 microgram standard in South Korea.
• Consumers should stop using the plate, store it safely, and wait for official return and compensation instructions.