[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct guidance and inspections on violations of origin labeling for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products from the 8th to the 21st targeting specialized telecommunication sales companies such as delivery apps and online markets.
This guidance and inspection is in response to the increase in online purchases of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products due to the spread of COVID-19.
The inspection targets processed products related to agricultural, livestock, and fishery products distributed online, and the main inspection items include false origin labeling, non-labeling, and violations of labeling methods.
According to the current "Origin Labeling Enforcement Rules" (Article 3, Paragraph 1), origin labeling of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and processed products through telecommunication sales can be displayed as subtitles on electronic media or in a separate window. However, if falsely labeled, it is punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years or a fine of up to 100 million KRW, and if the origin is not labeled or the labeling method is violated, a fine of up to 10 million KRW will be imposed.
The province will have 126 inspectors remotely monitor telecommunication sales companies to check compliance with origin labeling according to physical (social) distancing, and will also conduct guidance and promotional activities on the origin labeling system through phone calls.
On-site inspections will be conducted only when necessary, such as upon receipt of complaints. Following the monitoring results, joint inspections by the province and city/county governments will also be promoted.
Lee Hae-won, Director of the Agricultural Food Distribution Division of the province, emphasized, "Although agricultural, livestock, and fishery product producers, distributors, and processors are economically struggling due to the spread of COVID-19, providing safe food to residents is also an important task. Through this guidance and inspection, we will actively encourage telecommunication sales companies to comply with proper origin labeling methods to ensure the supply of safe ingredients."
Meanwhile, the violating companies and types detected in this inspection can be checked at the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (http://www.naqs.go.kr) and the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (http://www.nfqs.go.kr).
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