97.4% of Lunar New Year Agricultural Products Meet Residual Pesticide Standards 'Compliant'

Confiscation, Disposal, and Blocking of Non-compliant Agricultural Products, Request for Administrative Sanctions

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The Busan City Health and Environment Research Institute announced that, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, it conducted safety inspections for pesticide residues on agricultural products with high consumption during the holiday, and 74 out of 76 cases (97.4%) were found to be suitable.

Busan City Hall.

The inspection was conducted from January 4 to 13 on 76 cases of ceremonial and gift agricultural products brought into Eomgung and Banyeo Agricultural Wholesale Markets. By category, there were ▲58 cases of vegetables ▲10 cases of fruits ▲6 cases of mushrooms ▲2 cases of tubers.

Among the inspection results, 2 cases (2.6% non-compliance rate) of agricultural products were judged unsuitable for exceeding the pesticide residue permissible limits: ▲lettuce ▲spinach, one case each. The detected pesticide components were the insecticide Phorate and the herbicide Butachlor.

The institute took measures to seize and dispose of the 2 unsuitable agricultural products to prevent their distribution in advance, and notified the producers to the relevant administrative authorities for administrative action.

Director Byeongseon Ahn of the City Health and Environment Research Institute said, “Most pesticide residues can be removed by washing with water, so soaking fruits or vegetables in water and then rinsing them under running water is effective,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to ensure that safe agricultural products are supplied to citizens through focused inspections of agricultural products with increased consumption during the Lunar New Year and other periods.”

The Health and Environment Research Institute participates in spreading a culture of sharing with neighbors by continuously donating safe agricultural products remaining after pesticide residue inspections to local social welfare facilities and food markets.

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