Ganghwa County Launches Special Crackdown on Agricultural Product Origin Labeling Ahead of Chuseok

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Ganghwa County will conduct a special crackdown on agricultural product origin labeling violations through the 29th of this month in preparation for the Chuseok holiday.

The county has organized an inspection team in anticipation of an increase in origin labeling violations for major peak-season products such as ritual offerings and gift items ahead of Chuseok.

Inspection targets include production and sales establishments of agricultural products and agricultural processed goods, as well as sales businesses in traditional markets where origin labeling is vulnerable. Products subject to inspection are Chuseok peak-season items including fruit trees for ritual offerings, wild edible plants, local agricultural products, and gift items.

In cases of origin labeling violations, those guilty of non-labeling or improper labeling methods are subject to administrative fines up to 10 million won under relevant laws. False or misleading origin labeling is punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years or fines up to 100 million won.

County Governor Yu Cheon-ho stated, “To protect the quality of Ganghwa agricultural products and safeguard the rights of Ganghwa farmers who work earnestly and consumers, we plan to rigorously crack down on acts of passing off agricultural products from other regions as Ganghwa-produced,” adding “We will establish a sound agricultural product distribution order and increase the credibility of Ganghwa agricultural products.”