Seoul City to Conduct Intensive Inspection of 'Unreported Online Sales' of Health Functional Foods Until the End of May

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit announced on the 14th that it will conduct intensive inspections from April 25 to May 31 on illegal online sales of health functional foods without registration, which are expected to see increased demand due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the Family Month in May.

The main inspection targets are ▲ online sales of health functional foods without registration, and ▲ sales of health functional foods violating standards and specifications, such as detection of inappropriate ingredients. Health functional foods are foods manufactured using ingredients or components with beneficial functions for the human body. Unlike general foods, they bear the phrase "health functional food" or certification marks, and display additional "functional information" besides nutritional information.

This inspection is conducted after prior notice, including guidance on compliance with business registration procedures, to encourage sellers' self-regulation efforts, as the number of cases of unregistered online sales of health functional foods increased by about 46% compared to the same period last year. Last year, 29 people were booked for unregistered online sales, but from January to March this year, 19 people were booked, showing an approximately 46% increase compared to the same period last year.

To sell health functional foods online, sellers must prepare the required documents according to Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Health Functional Foods Act and Article 12, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce, etc., and complete both business registration and telecommunication sales registration with the competent district office. Selling health functional foods without business registration is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million KRW under Article 44, Item 1 of the Health Functional Foods Act.

Seoul City will also conduct safety tests on major health functional foods during this inspection. Popular health functional foods sold online will be purchased and tested for the presence of inappropriate ingredients at the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment. Those who intend to sell health functional foods must sell products that comply with the standards and specifications announced for health functional foods or, if not announced, have undergone a separate recognition process. Violation of this is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million KRW under Article 44, Item 7 of the Health Functional Foods Act.

Seoul City urged citizens to report or tip off any food-related crimes such as illegal online sales of health functional foods through the Seoul City website. If citizens contribute to public interest promotion by reporting or tipping off criminal acts with decisive evidence, rewards of up to 200 million KRW are provided according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Protection and Support for Public Interest Whistleblowers.

Kang Ok-hyun, head of the Seoul Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit, said, “As demand for purchasing health functional foods online is increasing recently, we will conduct thorough inspections and continuous monitoring to ensure that citizens’ health is not threatened by unregistered sales or inappropriate products.”

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.