October 25?December 3 Residual Pesticide Inspection
Disposal of Shipments Exceeding Permissible Limits
Measures to Prevent Market Release
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) announced on the 19th that it will conduct safety inspections on kimchi-making vegetables such as napa cabbage and radish before shipment from the 25th of this month to December 3rd.
Before being shipped to the market, they will check whether any of the 320 pesticide residues exceeding the allowable limits are detected in napa cabbage, radish, green onions, and other vegetables. NAQS plans to select 600 farms cultivating kimchi-making vegetables for inspection and visit them to collect samples. If pesticide residues exceeding the allowable limits are detected, the relevant farms producing those vegetables will be notified, and measures such as shipment delays, disposal, or repurposing will be taken.
Farmers producing non-compliant vegetables will be educated on safe pesticide use standards, and the relevant local governments will be notified to take measures such as imposing fines according to the Pesticide Management Act.
Lee Joo-myung, head of NAQS, said, "Ahead of the kimchi-making season, we plan to conduct more thorough safety inspections and management of kimchi-making vegetables so that consumers can feel assured."
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