Gyeonggi Special Prosecutor's Office Identifies 10 Food Companies Illegally Manufacturing and Selling Kimchi Ahead of Kimjang Season

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Illegal food manufacturing and selling establishments that mix Chinese-origin red pepper powder with domestic red pepper powder while labeling the origin as domestic have been identified by the Gyeonggi Province Special Prosecutor's Office.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Prosecutor's Office announced on the 18th that from October 18 to 29, ahead of the kimjang season, it conducted investigations into 90 establishments manufacturing and selling kimjang seasonal foods such as kimchi, red pepper powder, salted fish products, and minced garlic, and identified 11 cases of illegal practices at a total of 10 establishments.

The violations include ▲three cases of unlicensed business operations (failure to register or report changes) ▲five cases of violation of self-quality inspection obligations ▲three cases of false or misleading origin labeling for imported red pepper powder and other ingredients.

Among the major cases identified, a kimchi manufacturing and selling establishment 'G' located in Uiwang was caught manufacturing baechu kimchi, yellow radish kimchi, radish greens kimchi, and diced radish kimchi in an unsanitary facility without reporting to the competent administrative agency since 2005, and selling them to final consumers.

An instant food manufacturing and processing establishment 'N' located in Seongnam was found to have been mixing some Chinese-origin red pepper powder with domestic red pepper powder since last year to manufacture and sell kimchi, while displaying the origin of kimchi as "domestic" at the entrance and showing both "domestic" and "Chinese" origin labeling for red pepper powder inside the establishment, thus misleading consumers about the origin.

In particular, it was revealed that the establishment manufactured kimchi at locations other than the registered premises, while sales were conducted at the registered facility.

A food manufacturing company 'G' located in Gwangju was found to have failed to conduct self-quality inspections for all produced items after requesting and completing inspection on June 30 of last year while manufacturing and selling kimchi and side dishes.

Finished products such as kimchi, pickled vegetables, braised vegetables, and red pepper powder must undergo self-quality inspections at least once every three months.

A food manufacturing company 'R' located in Suwon was also confirmed to have failed to conduct self-quality inspections since the inspection conducted on May 24 of this year while manufacturing kimchi.

According to the Food Sanitation Act, conducting business without reporting or reporting changes, and violation of self-quality inspection obligations are each subject to imprisonment for up to three years or fines of up to 30 million won.

According to the Act on Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products, false or misleading origin labeling is subject to imprisonment for up to seven years or fines of up to 100 million won.

Yun Tae-wan, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Prosecutor's Office, stated, "As purchases of kimchi and kimjang ingredients are increasing during the kimjang season, greater attention to hygiene and safety management is necessary," and added, "The identified establishments will be strictly punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, and we will continue to strengthen inspections on high-consumption food items to ensure safe food for our residents."