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Special Investigation to Ensure the Safety of High-Demand Winter Foods

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will conduct a “Special Investigation to Ensure the Safety of High-Demand Winter Foods” (hereinafter “the investigation”) for six weeks from December 1 to January 9, 2026.

This investigation aims to thoroughly identify illegal or unsanitary practices that may arise during the manufacturing and distribution of foods widely consumed during winter. The initiative seeks to create an environment where citizens can safely enjoy seasonal foods.

In particular, the city will focus on establishments that manufacture or process ingredients for popular winter snacks such as hotteok, steamed buns, and dumplings, as well as restaurants and delivery businesses specializing in dishes such as pork-and-rice soup, beef bone soup, seafood hot pot, and kimchi stew.

Inspection targets will be selected based on comprehensive risk assessments, including establishments with previous violations, those suspected of poor sanitary conditions, and businesses reported for issues related to country-of-origin or food labeling and advertising. The city plans to conduct proactive inspections of businesses at high risk for country-of-origin labeling violations or inadequate sanitation management.

Key areas of investigation include:
▲False or misleading country-of-origin labeling
▲Violations of food-handling standards and specifications
▲Use of unlabeled ingredients in food manufacturing
▲Use or sale of products past their expiration date.
On-site inspections will be combined with testing by specialized institutions to strengthen food-safety management.

If violations are detected during the investigation, Busan Metropolitan City will take strict action in accordance with relevant laws, including criminal charges and notification to the competent authorities.
Penalties include:
▲Up to seven years of imprisonment or fines up to KRW 100 million for false or misleading country-of-origin labeling under the Act on Labeling of Origin for Agricultural and Fishery Products
▲Up to five years of imprisonment or fines up to KRW 50 million for violations of food-handling standards and specifications under the Food Sanitation Act
▲Up to three years of imprisonment or fines up to KRW 30 million for the use of unlabeled ingredients under the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods.

The city’s Special Judicial Police Department continues to actively receive citizen reports. Reports of related illegal activities may be filed with the Food Investigation Team at 051-888-3091 or 3096.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Ensuring hygiene and safety is essential for popular winter foods enjoyed by our citizens. Through this special investigation, we will create an environment where citizens can safely consume seasonal foods and further solidify the image of Busan as a city of safe and trustworthy food.”