[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is launching an investigation into illegal activities targeting large confectionery and bakery businesses.
The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on the 2nd that from the 8th to the 17th of this month, they will conduct a focused investigation on illegal activities targeting large-scale confectionery and bakery manufacturers and distributors (such as cake producers) within the province, as well as large bakery cafes frequently visited by consumers.
The main investigation items include ▲ unregistered food manufacturing and processing business activities ▲ sale or manufacturing, processing, and use of products violating food-specific standards and specifications ▲ use or storage of expired products ▲ violations of origin labeling ▲ and compliance with other food sanitation laws and regulations.
Current law stipulates that unregistered food manufacturing and processing business activities and violations of food-specific standards and specifications are punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.
Additionally, using raw materials past their expiration date is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW, and falsely labeling low-cost foreign raw materials as domestic origin is punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years or a fine of up to 100 million KRW.
Yoon Tae-wan, head of the provincial Special Judicial Police, emphasized, "This investigation will focus on large-scale confectionery and bakery manufacturers and distributors targeting the Christmas and year-end holiday demand, aiming to prevent hygiene-related risks from food in advance and secure safe and healthy food for the residents."
The Special Judicial Police also accept reports of illegal activities through their website and the Gyeonggi Province call center.
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