Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Adds Fresh Garlic, Shiitake Mushrooms, Jujube, and Ginger to Distribution Tracking Items

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 31st that it will increase the number of items subject to traceability management to 18 starting next month to enhance the efficiency of origin management for imported agricultural products and processed agricultural products, and to strengthen safety management at each distribution stage. Four items?garlic (fresh and peeled), shiitake mushrooms (fresh and dried), jujube (dried and frozen), and ginger (dried and ground)?have been added.

The traceability management system for imported agricultural products requires importers and distributors to mandatorily report transaction details at each distribution stage when importing agricultural products designated and announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or when trading such agricultural products domestically. Since January this year, the Ministry has taken over the traceability management duties from the Korea Customs Service and is now operating the system.

As the designation period for the existing 14 traceability management items expires on the 31st of this month, the Ministry held a review committee meeting composed of experts related to agricultural product distribution and consumer groups on April 13 to deliberate on the designation of traceability management items for imported agricultural products.

As a result of the review, to protect public health and safety from ongoing origin labeling violations and illegal activities such as repurposing, the designation period for the existing 14 items has been extended until July 31, 2024. Additionally, four items with increasing import volumes and a high likelihood of fraudulent origin labeling that could harm fair trade have been newly designated.

Following the expansion of traceability management items for imported agricultural products, a six-month guidance period focusing on education and promotion will be operated until January 31 next year to minimize confusion in the field regarding the four newly added items. The Ministry plans to promote education and publicity for importers and distributors to ensure stable establishment of the system.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to impose fines of up to 5 million KRW on those obligated to report traceability information who fail to comply.

Kim Jong-gu, Director of Distribution and Consumer Policy at the Ministry, stated, "We plan to gradually expand the traceability management items annually, focusing on items with high rates of fraudulent origin distribution."

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