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Busan Launches Special Investigation into Restaurants Handling Health-Boosting Foods

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The Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that its Special Judicial Police Division will carry out a special investigation targeting businesses handling summer health-boosting foods from May 26 to June 20, a four-week period leading into the hot summer season. This initiative aims to prevent illegal activities that exploit the rising demand for health foods during the warmer months and to help citizens stay healthy throughout the summer.

The investigation will focus on restaurants and manufacturing/distribution businesses that handle health foods such as samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), chueotang (loach soup), yeomsotang (goat stew), grilled eel, and various health food extracts.

Key targets of the investigation include:

• ●Mislabeling (or confusing labeling) of the origin of ingredients,

• ●Deceptive labeling or advertising that misleads consumers,

• ●Violations of food preservation standards and specifications,

• ●Use of products past their consumption date and other infractions of business operators' obligations.

In particular, items with a high risk of false origin labeling will be selected for investigation based on analysis of domestic production and import trends, as well as past violation records.

Additionally, the selection of establishments for inspection will incorporate data from previous violations under the Food Sanitation Act, as well as user reviews from social media and online platforms. The investigation will also closely examine the supply routes of ingredients used by distribution and sales businesses.

If necessary, the city will collaborate with the Busan Institute of Health and Environment and the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service to collect samples and conduct joint testing for precise ingredient identification.

Violations will be dealt with strictly in accordance with relevant laws, with key penalties including:

• ●Up to 7 years of imprisonment or fines of up to 100 million KRW for false or confusing labeling of the origin of agricultural and marine products,

• ●Up to 5 years of imprisonment or fines of up to 50 million KRW for deceptive food labeling and advertising,

• ●Up to 5 years of imprisonment or fines of up to 50 million KRW for violating food preservation standards,

• ●Up to 3 years of imprisonment or fines of up to 30 million KRW for using expired products or other breaches of business operator obligations.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “We will thoroughly carry out this special crackdown so that citizens can enjoy health-boosting foods safely during the summer,” and added, “We ask for active citizen participation, as reports from the public are a great help in fostering a safe and trustworthy food culture.”

To encourage public participation and promote voluntary hygiene management, the city plans to announce the details of the inspection plan in advance and promote a food safety culture focused on prevention.

To report violations, please contact the Special Judicial Police Division's Food Investigation Team at 051-888-3091 or the Country of Origin Inspection Team at 051-888-3096.