Gyeongbuk Province: Safe to Consume Holiday Cooked and Processed Foods... All 'Suitable' Except One Case of Insufficient Quantity

Health and Environment Research Institute Conducts Hazardous Substance Tests on 148 Ritual and Gift Food Items

Gyeongsangbuk-do conducted tests for harmful substances in holiday ritual and gift foods sold in 22 cities and counties starting from the 10th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 28th that the inspection of holiday ritual and gift foods, which began on the 10th, found them to be safe.

The Gyeongbuk Health and Environment Research Institute conducted focused tests on 148 samples of harmful substances in cooked foods, processed foods, health functional foods, and seafood collected from 22 cities and counties to ensure the distribution of safe seasonal foods for the Lunar New Year.

Thirty-nine cooked food samples, including Sanjeok, Myeongtaejeon, and Buchujeon, were tested for bacterial count, E. coli, and food poisoning bacteria. One hundred four processed food samples, such as health functional foods, Hangwa, sesame oil, and dried fish products, were examined for nutritional content, acid value, tar pigments, preservative content and suitability, while five seafood samples were tested for heavy metals.

All cooked foods, health functional foods, and seafood met the suitability standards, but one processed food sample was found to have a quantity below the standard amount, and the relevant company was notified of the nonconformity.

Director Baek Haju stated, “We will conduct harmful substance inspections on frequently consumed foods not only during the Lunar New Year but also regularly to prevent the distribution of substandard foods.”