Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit Intensifies Crackdown on Camping Foods Ahead of Summer Vacation Season

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Nohoon] The Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit has launched an intensive crackdown to strengthen safety management of camping foods ahead of the full-fledged summer vacation season. The investigation period runs from July 6 to 10.

The investigation targets 60 manufacturing facilities that produce not only meat and sausages, which are frequently consumed at camping sites, but also ready-to-eat convenience foods, seasoned meat, skewers, and blood sausage, whose consumption has been increasing recently at camping sites.

The main investigation focuses include ▲unsanitary management practices of facilities and food ▲use of expired raw materials or storage without "for disposal" labeling ▲failure to comply with storage standards.

Violating food storage standards, such as storing frozen products under refrigeration conditions, can result in imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won. Using expired raw materials or storing without "for disposal" labeling can result in imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

In Kwon, Chief of the Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit, said "This investigation comes as the number of Gyeonggi residents enjoying outdoor activities such as camping has increased following the shift in COVID-19 quarantine measures to distancing in everyday life," adding "given the nature of outdoor activities where food storage is difficult, thorough hygiene management is necessary at the manufacturing and sales stages. We will prevent factors that could threaten the safety of residents in advance, and will pursue strong punishment in accordance with relevant regulations when illegal activities are detected."