MFDS Conducts Comprehensive Inspection of Seasonal Foods Ahead of Lunar New Year

Strengthening Hygiene Management for Food Products Used in Ancestral Rites and Gifts

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 2nd that it will inspect the hygiene management status of holiday season foods in collaboration with 17 local governments from the 8th to the 14th ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

This inspection will target approximately 3,500 locations, including ▲ manufacturers and processors of ceremonial and gift foods as well as health functional foods ▲ sellers of holiday season foods in traditional markets and large supermarkets ▲ restaurants in highway rest areas frequently used during the Lunar New Year travel season.

The main inspection items include ▲ unregistered (unreported) manufacturing and sales ▲ sales of products past their expiration date ▲ selling frozen meat as refrigerated meat ▲ hygienic handling of food, among others.

Foods commonly consumed during the Lunar New Year such as Hangwa, apples, dried yellow corvina, alcoholic beverages, and health functional foods will be collected and tested for residual pesticides, heavy metals, and food poisoning bacteria to ensure safety. Additionally, to verify the safety of imported ceremonial and gift foods, thorough inspections at the import customs clearance stage will be strengthened.

The strengthened import inspection targets include ▲ seven agricultural products such as gosari (bracken) and chestnuts ▲ five processed food items such as wine and dried fish ▲ four health functional food items such as probiotics and propolis.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "While ensuring that safe holiday season foods are supplied to the public, we plan to impose administrative measures such as business suspension and simultaneously pursue criminal charges against intentional illegal activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.