Gyeonggi-do Launches Extensive Investigation into 'Hazardous Imported Foods'

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct a large-scale collection and ingredient inspection of 'imported foods of concern' to protect the safety of residents from imported foods that may adversely affect health.

The plan is to realize the goal of 'protecting residents' health through the safe distribution of imported foods' by filtering out inappropriate foods through ingredient inspections of imported foods that are likely to contain hazardous substances, unreported or unlabeled products, and imported foods with a history of non-compliance.

The collection and ingredient inspections will focus on three categories: ▲foods with hazardous substances added ▲unreported and unlabeled imported foods ▲imported foods with a history of non-compliance.

From the 20th of this month to the 28th of next month, the province will first collect and then conduct ingredient inspections on 'health functional foods' containing hazardous substances such as sexual function enhancers, diet medicines, and muscle enhancers, as well as sesame oil, noodles, and salted clams with a past history of non-compliance.

Additionally, starting next month, the province will conduct monthly guidance and inspections targeting foreign food retailers to collect and inspect unreported and unlabeled imported foods.

The collection of imported foods will be handled by the Provincial Food Safety Division, Animal Quarantine and Hygiene Division, Special Judicial Police, and hygiene departments of cities and counties within the province. The inspections will be conducted by the Provincial Health and Environment Research Institute.

If ingredient inspections confirm the presence of pharmaceutical ingredients that cannot be used in foods or ingredients exceeding standard limits, the province will dispose of all such products and take strict measures including administrative actions and prosecution.

A provincial official stated, "It is advisable not to purchase health functional foods that are excessively advertised as having pharmaceutical effects, and special caution is needed for unreported and unlabeled products as they have not undergone safety inspections. We will establish effective safety management measures for distributed foods to create a food environment where residents can eat with peace of mind."

Under the current Food Sanitation Act, selling imported foods without import declaration is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 100 million won.

To report the sale of unreported and unlabeled products or the sale of fraudulent or substandard foods, call 1399 without an area code.

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