Assemblyman Kang Ki-yoon: "Foreign Object Reports Increased 4.4 Times in 2021 Compared to Previous Year"
Kang Ki-yoon, Member of the National Assembly of the People Power Party.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] Reports of foreign substances such as hair and insects in delivery food have increased by a staggering 4.4 times within one year, highlighting the need for thorough hygiene management and consumers' careful observation.
According to data obtained by Kang Ki-yoon, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the number of foreign substance reports in delivery food were ▲810 cases in 2019 (July?December) ▲1,557 cases in 2020 ▲6,866 cases in 2021 ▲4,499 cases in 2022 (January?June), showing a 4.4-fold increase within one year as of last year.
Regarding the details of foreign substance reports, in 2021, hair was the most reported with 2,223 cases, followed by insects with 1,468 cases, metal with 578 cases, plastic with 329 cases, vinyl with 497 cases, mold with 97 cases, and others with 1,674 cases, including other fibers, fur, strings, glass, and wood chips.
Assemblyman Kang stated, “Due to non-face-to-face activities caused by COVID-19 and the increase in single-person households, the demand for delivery has increased. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should support delivery restaurants to establish themselves according to hygiene standards considering this, and further strengthen mutual cooperation with delivery platforms for safety management.”
If foreign substances are found in food, it is subject to a fine of up to 5 million KRW and corrective measures under the Food Sanitation Act. After an investigation by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the relevant local government issues a corrective order, and if re-detected within one year, a stricter penalty such as a “2-day business suspension” can be imposed.
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