Comprehensive Inspection of Country-of-Origin Labeling for Lunar New Year Gifts and Ritual Foods... Criminal Penalties for False Labeling

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service announced on January 25 that it will conduct a comprehensive inspection of country-of-origin labeling for 19 days until February 13. The inspection will focus on ritual food items such as rice, meat, fruits, and wild greens, as well as gift items like traditional foods, ribs, health supplements, and well-known regional specialties, all of which see a surge in demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

This inspection will prioritize agricultural and livestock products with a history of frequent violations. The main focus will be on cases where foreign products are labeled as domestic, instances of misleading or disguised country-of-origin labeling, and the sale of domestic agricultural products from less-known regions as famous local specialties. Last year, the most common country-of-origin violation during the Lunar New Year holiday involved napa cabbage kimchi, followed by pork, tofu products, and beef.

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To ensure effective on-site inspections, the agency will utilize a cyber enforcement team to monitor country-of-origin labeling practices among online retailers, including delivery app operators, until January 30. Subsequently, it will investigate online retailers and manufacturers of gift and ritual food items, and inspect department stores, large supermarkets, and traditional markets, particularly in major cities where demand for ritual foods is concentrated.

Additionally, for wild greens such as bracken and bellflower root, as well as ritual forest products like jujubes and chestnuts, which are in high demand during the holiday, joint inspections will be conducted with the Korea Forest Service. In areas vulnerable to enforcement, such as traditional markets, the agency will collaborate with local governments to guide and enforce the country-of-origin labeling system.

Businesses found in violation will face criminal penalties-up to seven years in prison or fines of up to 100 million won-for false labeling under the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products, and administrative fines of up to 10 million won for failure to label.

Choi Chulho, Acting Administrator of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, stated, "We plan to strengthen inspections and public awareness of country-of-origin labeling so that consumers can confidently purchase our agricultural products during the Lunar New Year holiday." He also urged, "Consumers should carefully check the country-of-origin labeling and identification information when purchasing gift or ritual items, and report any absence or suspected falsification of labeling by phone or through the agency's website."

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