Jindo-gun Implements 'Voluntary Labeling System for Domestic Kimchi' in Restaurants, Schools, and Hospitals

Preventing Cheap Imported Kimchi from Being Passed Off as Domestic... Encouraging Use of Domestic Kimchi

Jindo-gun Office Building Exterior (Photo by Jindo-gun)

[Jindo＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Jindo County, Jeollanam-do, is implementing the ‘Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling System’ targeting local restaurants, dining establishments, schools, hospitals, and daycare centers.

According to the county on the 21st, the ‘Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling System’ is a system in which the Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling Committee certifies businesses that use kimchi supplied from producers made with 100% domestic ingredients or that make kimchi themselves.

The county plans to prevent cheap imported kimchi from being disguised and sold as domestic kimchi and to encourage the consumption of Jeollanam-do kimchi, which is of the world’s highest quality.

The county aims to certify about 100 places by September, targeting restaurants, schools, hospitals, public institutions, and corporate cafeterias.

Applications for certification can be submitted to the Jindo County Economic Marketing Division and town/village offices with a domestic kimchi supply and sales contract or a detailed list of kimchi ingredient purchases.

The Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling Committee reviews the applications and issues certification marks, with the certification period lasting one year.

They also plan to conduct thorough follow-up management, including annual inspections of domestic kimchi usage and re-certification.

Certified places can provide consumers with peace of mind through the certification mark when using kimchi, and it is expected to contribute to increasing farmers’ income by promoting the consumption of domestic agricultural products.

A representative from the Jindo County Economic Marketing Division said, “Despite the recent COVID-19 situation, we will create a kimchi consumption culture where tourists visiting the clean Jindo County can safely enjoy kimchi made from napa cabbage and various ingredients produced in Jindo County.”

Meanwhile, the Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling Committee includes five private organizations: the Korea Kimchi Association, Korea Foodservice Industry Association, Korea Foodservice Central Association, Korea Franchise Industry Association, and Korea Korean Food Association.

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