Gyeonggi-do Intensifies Crackdown on Origin Labeling of Chuseok Seasonal Products

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct guidance and inspections on origin labeling of high-consumption sacrificial and gift agricultural, livestock, and fishery products from the 6th to the 17th ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

During this period, joint inspections will also be carried out in five areas including Guri, Anyang, Osan, Uiwang, and Gwacheon cities.

The main inspection items are products distributed in traditional markets, wholesale and retail stores, and ready-to-eat food sales establishments, including ▲Sacrificial use: beef and pork, doraji (balloon flower root), gosari (bracken fern), gotgam (dried persimmon), and sea bream ▲Gift use: galbi sets, hangwa (traditional Korean sweets), ginseng, jogi (yellow croaker, dried croaker), health foods (red ginseng, herbal medicines, etc.) ▲Rice cakes, namul (seasoned vegetables), jeon (Korean pancakes), and other ready-to-eat foods.

In particular, the province plans to randomly collect high-consumption items during the Chuseok peak season such as gosari, chestnuts, and gotgam, which can be tested for origin, and request origin verification from the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service.

If the test results show foreign or mixed origin, the province will request an investigation by the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit into illegal origin labeling activities, including verification of distribution routes.

Additionally, 129 'Gyeonggi Province Agricultural and Fishery Products Origin Labeling Monitors' will check compliance with origin labeling through on-site guidance and promotion, as well as non-face-to-face inspections via online markets and delivery apps, in accordance with social distancing measures due to the spread of COVID-19.

The current 'Act on the Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products' stipulates that if a person is caught falsely labeling or confusing or disguising the actual origin of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products or related products, they may face imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Andonggwang, Director of the Provincial Agricultural and Maritime Affairs Bureau, emphasized, "We will continue to promote cooperation with institutions related to the origin of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products to establish a fair trade order and fulfill consumers' right to know," adding, "We will strictly punish illegal acts such as false origin labeling that deceive consumers."

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