"Pesticide-Free and Organic? Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Crack Down on 43 Illegal Eco-Friendly Agricultural and Marine Product Distributors"

Cases of Illegal Distribution of Eco-Friendly Certified Agricultural and Marine Products Detected by the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare

A large number of eco-friendly certified product sellers who engaged in illegal activities such as false advertising by claiming non-eco-friendly agricultural and marine products as organic, pesticide-free, and antibiotic-free were caught by the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare announced on the 14th that from August 7 to 25, they conducted inspections on 360 eco-friendly certified agricultural and marine product distribution and sales businesses within the province and identified 43 violating businesses (45 cases).

Among the major violations, A Mart located in Icheon City displayed and sold general agricultural products on a sales stand labeled "Pesticide-Free Agricultural Products." B organic processed food manufacturer in Gimpo City was caught distributing and selling uncertified green tea with certification marks after its "eco-friendly certification" had expired.

C agricultural corporation in Anseong City supplied vegetables only certified under GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) to a mart but attached eco-friendly stickers stating "100% Pesticide-Free, Organic" and sold them, getting caught in the act.

D and E eel specialty restaurants located in Pyeongtaek City and Uijeongbu City advertised that they used "antibiotic-free certified" eels but actually sold regular eels, resulting in their being caught during the crackdown.

The Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare also collected 70 types of eco-friendly agricultural products in distribution and requested residual pesticide testing from the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment. As a result, pesticide residues were detected in one item, "Pesticide-Free Twisted Chili Pepper," and administrative action was requested from related agencies.

Under the current "Eco-friendly Agriculture and Fisheries Act," advertising uncertified products as certified, using eco-friendly phrases or similar markings on uncertified products, or mixing uncertified products with certified ones for sale are punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to 30 million KRW.

Hong Eun-gi, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare, emphasized, "This crackdown was carried out to protect businesses producing and distributing properly certified products and to create a distribution environment where residents can trust and consume certified products. We will strictly punish violations according to relevant regulations and continue ongoing inspections to prevent recurrence."

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