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Busan Metropolitan City Launches “Special Investigation into Manufacturing and Sales Businesses of Seasonal Kimchi Ingredients”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will conduct a “Special Investigation into Manufacturing and Sales Businesses of Seasonal Kimchi Ingredients” (hereinafter “the investigation”) for five weeks from October 20 to November 21.

The investigation aims to strengthen public trust in food safety management and to ensure a safe distribution environment.

This special investigation will focus on kimchi manufacturing and processing businesses subject to mandatory HACCP* certification, as well as vendors selling red pepper powder, solar salt, salted seafood, and other major items in high demand during the kimchi-making season.

• ●HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point): A preventive system that manages potential hazards in food production from manufacturing to distribution to ensure food safety.

In particular, the City will intensively monitor: ▲ establishments with previous violation records or suspected poor hygiene ▲ businesses subject to consumer complaints or reports related to country-of-origin labeling ▲ establishments suspected of falsely marketing imported products as domestic or using unapproved ingredients.

The main focus of the investigation includes: ▲ false or misleading country-of-origin labeling ▲ violations of food handling standards and specifications ▲ use of unlabelled ingredients in food manufacturing ▲ use or sale of expired products and other illegal activities prevalent during the kimchi-making season.

In addition, the City’s Special Judicial Police Division will collaborate with the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service to collect and test raw materials such as red pepper powder and will apply scientific inspection methods to determine their origin, ensuring thorough monitoring of potential violations.

If illegal activities are detected during this special investigation, the City will take strict actions in accordance with relevant laws, including filing criminal charges and notifying the appropriate authorities.
Specifically:
▲ False or misleading country-of-origin labeling will be subject to imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to 100 million KRW under the Act on Labeling of Origin for Agricultural and Fishery Products.
▲ Violations of food handling standards or specifications will result in imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW under the Food Sanitation Act.
▲ Storing or using unlabelled products for sale will be punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW under the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Food, etc.

Meanwhile, the Special Judicial Police Division of the City is also accepting reports from citizens regarding illegal practices. Related reports can be made to the Food Investigation Team at 051-888-3091 or 3096.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “As seasonal kimchi ingredients are directly linked to what citizens consume at their tables, thorough inspection is crucial. Through this special investigation, we will help citizens prepare for kimchi-making season with confidence and reinforce Busan’s image as a healthy city through safe and reliable food.”