16 Companies Caught Importing and Selling Food Utensils Without Notification

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Companies importing 113,685 units of food-use ice makers, water heaters, and other items worth approximately 113.9 billion KRW without import declaration have been caught.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the Incheon Regional Customs Office of the Korea Customs Service announced on the 27th that 16 companies were found violating the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Management and the Food Sanitation Act.

This crackdown began after receiving information that ice makers and similar devices used recently in cafes and homes were being illegally imported and distributed domestically without import declaration to the MFDS.

According to relevant laws, when importing food-use equipment for sale or business purposes, an import declaration must be submitted to the MFDS and safety inspections must be conducted.

The MFDS has ordered the suspension of sales, recall, and disposal of the undeclared equipment from the caught companies. Administrative actions will be taken against these companies.

The MFDS and Incheon Regional Customs emphasized, “These products come into direct contact with foods consumed by the public, so even the smallest loophole in the import and distribution process cannot be allowed as it directly relates to public health.”

The MFDS requested that if anyone observes food-use equipment without Korean labeling, they should report it by calling ‘1399’ without an area code.

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