BBQ inducted into Red Cross 'Hall of Honor' after donating 220 million KRW (approximately $165,000) over two years
![On March 6 at the Red Cross Gyeonggi-do branch’s Ahn Chang-ho Hall in Suwon, Genesis BBQ Group and Red Cross officials posed for a commemorative photo at the 2026 Hall of Honor induction ceremony. [Photo=Genesis BBQ Group]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/03/CP-2023-0070/image-9af61532-1de7-4c91-a19c-79e267560d19.jpeg)
Genesis BBQ Group said on the 10th that the company earned a spot in the Korean Red Cross Gyeonggi-do chapter’s Hall of Honor in recognition of its community contributions.
At the induction ceremony on March 6 at the Ahn Chang-ho Hall in Suwon, BBQ was listed as an organization that donated more than 100 million KRW (approximately $75,000) in 2025.
BBQ was recognized for its \"Good Donation\" campaign with the Korean Red Cross, which began in January 2024 and has contributed a total of 220 million KRW (approximately $165,000) over two years. The program leverages BBQ’s Chicken University training facilities: trainees and staff volunteer to prepare meals that are delivered to single seniors, child protection centers, and centers for people with disabilities across Gyeonggi Province.
A BBQ representative said, “Our community outreach through Chicken University has grown alongside local residents and produced meaningful results. We will continue sharing warmth with neighbors and expanding our positive impact as part of our corporate social responsibility.”
Since 2014, the Korean Red Cross Gyeonggi-do chapter has operated the Hall of Honor to recognize individuals and organizations that contribute to Red Cross humanitarian work. Donors who meet a set donation threshold are added to the list, including those that support disaster relief and other humanitarian activities.
Namyang enters Kazakhstan CU with 'Takefit' and 'French Cafe' lines, eyes Central Asia
![Namyang’s cup coffee \'French Cafe Roastery\' on shelves at Kazakhstan CU convenience stores. [Photo=Namyang]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/03/CP-2023-0070/image-afda8bbc-ff0e-487a-a657-8e25fd107ddb.jpeg)
Namyang said on the 10th that it will supply Takefit Monster, Takefit Max and the French Cafe Roastery cup-coffee line to CU convenience stores in Kazakhstan. This marks Namyang’s first entry into the Central Asian market for its protein drinks and ready-to-drink (RTD) coffees.
The export lineup includes two Takefit Monster SKUs, three Takefit Max SKUs and three French Cafe Roastery cup-coffee SKUs. Takefit Monster is an ultra-high-protein drink with 43 g of protein per 350 ml (11.8 fl oz) bottle, available in Choco Banana and Nutty flavors. Takefit Max delivers 24 g of protein per 250 ml (8.5 fl oz) pack and comes in Banana, Choco and Nutty. Both lines are formulated as complete proteins with nine essential amino acids, making them ideal for pre- or post-workout supplements or as convenient meal replacements.
French Cafe Roastery is an RTD coffee line that blends deep, smooth espresso with milk for a rich flavor profile; the initial offerings include Caramel Macchiato, Cappuccino and Dolce Condensed Milk Latte.
Namyang plans to concentrate distribution on CU stores in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s economic hub, to expand local consumer touchpoints. CU currently operates about 50 stores in the Almaty area.
Kazakhstan’s food market is growing rapidly on the back of a young population. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), nearly half the population is under 30, driving demand for convenient, health- and nutrition-focused products. Namyang said it will target younger consumers with its RTD protein drinks and cup-coffee offerings.
The Kazakhstan launch expands Namyang’s protein-drink export footprint from East Asia into Central Asia. Takefit Monster entered Hong Kong convenience stores and major Mongolian retailers last year, and French Cafe has already been exported to markets including the U.S. and Canada, helping raise the brand’s global profile.
\"Kazakhstan is an emerging market with a high share of young consumers and strong consumption growth potential,\" said Seonghyun Seo, head of Namyang’s Global Business Team. \"We will continue strengthening the competitiveness of Takefit and French Cafe in global markets, including Central Asia.\"
OB Beer carries out Yeongsan River cleanup for World Water Day
![OB Beer employees pose after completing a Yeongsan River cleanup event commemorating World Water Day. [Photo=OB Beer]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/03/CP-2023-0070/image-11d9fffe-bb64-44b8-8464-25707fb2f11c.jpeg)
OB Beer said on the 10th that it carried out river cleanup and tree-planting activities near its Gwangju brewery along the Yeongsan River ahead of World Water Day (March 22).
The event was designed to highlight water’s importance—the key ingredient in beer—and to emphasize the need to protect water resources. Each year around World Water Day, OB Beer organizes environmental cleanups near its breweries in Cheongju, Gwangju and Icheon.
About 30 OB Beer employees, led by Gwangju Plant Manager Jae-yeon Park, joined roughly 10 officials from Gwangju’s Buk-gu Environmental Ecology Department and the Korea Environment Preservation Association on March 9 to collect trash along the Yeongsan River in a “plogging” effort.
After the cleanup, participants planted plum and cherry trees near the Gwangju plant pond to help reduce soil erosion and encourage natural rainwater infiltration—steps intended to support long-term water-quality protection and ecosystem recovery.
At a commemorative event at the Gwangju plant, employees shared ideas for improving water-use efficiency and honored staff who contributed to water-saving measures and process improvements.
OB Beer is also working to reduce water use across its production processes. The company continuously analyzes water consumption by process, recovers and recycles process water during equipment cleaning where quality standards allow, and pursues other efficiency improvements.
\"Systematic water management in beer production is crucial to address worsening water shortages and pollution driven by climate change,\" said Jaebeom Koo, OB Beer’s senior vice president. \"We will continue partnering with local communities on initiatives to help create cleaner water environments.\"
Lotte Wellfood launches 'Lotsaen Pasteur Pure Milk' flavor
![Packaging image for Lotsaen Pasteur Pure Milk flavor. [Photo=Lotte Wellfood]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/03/CP-2023-0070/image-71631721-37cd-4582-9954-3b55151c0fe4.jpeg)
Lotte Wellfood said on the 10th that it has launched a new flavor, Lotsaen Pasteur Pure Milk, for its signature sandwich-biscuit brand Lotsaen (Lotte Sand).
The new flavor is a collaboration with premium milk brand Pasteur and targets the growing \"pairing\" trend—enjoying snacks alongside coffee, tea or yogurt.
Lotsaen Pasteur Pure Milk features low-temperature pasteurized Pasteur milk incorporated into both the cream and the biscuit. The result is a rich, milky cream paired with a soft biscuit, creating a dessert-style snack that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. The product’s pronounced milk flavor also makes it a good match for yogurt.
To celebrate the launch, Lotte Wellfood is running a purchase-confirmation event. Customers who enter via the QR code inside the package can win prizes in a lottery, including an iPad Pro, an Apple Watch, Lotte Hotel La Seine dinner vouchers, and Pasteur Milk Bar gift certificates. Winners will be announced on May 14.
Pasteur’s dessert café, Pasteur Milk Bar, will offer two Lotsaen-based seasonal menu items—Milk Sand Shake and Sandberry Yogurt—available from March 14 through April 12. Customers who order those menu items will receive the new Lotsaen product while supplies last.
A Lotte Wellfood spokesperson said, \"Lotsaen Pasteur Pure Milk highlights a soft, sweet milk flavor and makes a great dessert pairing with coffee or yogurt. We plan to continue expanding our lineup to match diverse dessert-pairing trends.\"
