Preventing Illegal and Unfair Online Advertising Exploiting COVID-19... MFDS Conducts Intensive Inspections

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Commissioner Kim Gang-rip) announced on the 20th that it will conduct a joint inspection with related agencies from the 22nd to the 30th to prevent consumer damage caused by false advertising and illegal sales related to COVID-19.

This inspection targets acts of false advertising or illegal sales of 'equipment sterilizers and disinfectants' and 'disinfectants among household chemical products' sold online, claiming COVID-19 prevention effects.

'Equipment sterilizers and disinfectants' used for food or equipment are products subject to manufacturing report under the Food Sanitation Act, and 'disinfectants' used for objects require notification to the Ministry of Environment under the Chemical Products Safety Act.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to focus inspections on acts such as advertising 'equipment sterilizers and disinfectants' as COVID-19 prevention disinfectants or body sterilizers/disinfectants, or displaying and advertising uses and methods different from those reported in the manufacturing report.

They will also inspect cases where products not registered or manufactured as disinfectants among household chemical products are advertised and sold as disinfectants by sellers.

Furthermore, to ensure efficient management of products recognized as both 'equipment sterilizers and disinfectants' and 'disinfectants among household chemical products,' related information will be shared with the Ministry of Environment.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "In cooperation with related agencies, we plan to take strong measures such as blocking sales websites, administrative actions, and criminal charges against companies engaging in illegal and false advertising exploiting COVID-19."

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