MFDS Investigates Residual Harmful Substances in Domestically Distributed Agricultural and Marine Products

Agricultural product image [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byun Seon-jin] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 3rd that it will conduct a residue survey of harmful substances such as pesticides and veterinary drugs that are likely to remain in domestically distributed agricultural and marine products.

This year's survey targets include 1,000 cases of agricultural products with high consumption such as lettuce and apples distributed through marts and online shopping malls, 425 cases of agricultural products such as dried persimmons and peeled chestnuts that are likely to be consumed without heating, cooking, or washing, 250 cases of major aquaculture species such as shrimp and eel, and 70 cases of fish released into fishing ponds.

Agricultural products are currently excluded from routine inspection items, so two pesticides requiring residue surveys (broflanilide, apidopyropen) will be tested, and for agricultural products consumed without heating or cooking, contamination by food poisoning bacteria such as enterohemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella will be investigated.

Marine products will be tested for 160 types of veterinary drugs and 10 prohibited substances including malachite green, and for fish released into fishing ponds, analysis of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, etc.) will also be conducted.

If agricultural and marine products are judged to be non-compliant based on the test results, relevant ministries and local governments will be promptly notified to prevent distribution and to take measures such as sales prohibition, recall, and disposal. In addition, based on the survey results, the ministry plans to reflect them in safety management policies for agricultural and marine products, including revision of test methods, selection of routine inspection management items, and risk assessment.

As a result of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's residue survey of harmful substances in 1,950 domestically distributed agricultural and marine products last year, 7 cases of agricultural and marine products exceeded the residue tolerance standards for pesticides and other substances. The ministry notified the relevant local governments to promptly take measures such as disposal and requested strengthening safety management including producer education to prevent recurrence.