Canadian Pork Labeled as Jeju? Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit Catches 7 Businesses for Illegal Origin Marking

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Businesses that deceived consumers with phrases such as "pristine Jeju pork" and "Jeju black pork" while selling imported and domestic pork from regions other than Jeju have been caught by the Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit announced on the 9th that it investigated 30 pork retail establishments in five regions (Anyang, Gunpo, Uiwang, Gwacheon, and Suwon) from August 25 to 31 and identified 7 businesses violating the Origin Labeling Act.

While marking "Jeju pork" with regional origin names is not mandatory, using domestic pork from regions outside Jeju while labeling it as Jeju origin constitutes an illegal act of false or misleading origin marking.

Examining major violations, establishment "A" in Uiwang City sold kimchi stew using domestic pork from regions outside Jeju while falsely marking it as "Jeju black pork kimchi stew" on menus and delivery apps.

Establishment "B" in Anyang City sold meat from regions outside Jeju while using phrases such as "only uses reliable pristine Jeju pork," resulting in misleading origin marking that caught the attention of investigators.

Establishment "C" located in Gunpo City listed Canadian pork ribs and domestic pork belly and neck from regions outside Jeju on the origin label, but marked all items uniformly as Jeju black pork on the customer table menus, constituting misleading origin marking.

Establishment "D" in Suwon City prepared and sold Jeju-style durumchigi and tender neck pork using actual domestic pork from regions outside Jeju, while marking each item as Jeju origin on the menu origin labels, then subtly marking the origin label as "Jeju + domestic."

According to the "Origin Labeling Act," engaging in false origin marking or marking that could cause confusion is punishable by up to seven years imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 million won.

Yoon Tae-wan, chief of the Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit, stated, "As preference and demand for Jeju pork has increased, prices have risen and the number of specialized pork restaurants continues to grow," adding "We will expand investigation areas going forward and strengthen origin investigations by region to establish order in livestock product distribution and ensure fair trade."