Ministry of Education Temporarily Suspends Provision of Domestic Korean Pumpkin in School Meals

Supply Suspension Until April 2 as Follow-up Measure After Government Shipment Halt

On the 27th, the Ministry of Education requested the 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education nationwide to temporarily suspend the provision of domestically produced pork squash (zucchini) in school meals.

Earlier, it was revealed that genetically modified zucchini, which had not been approved domestically, was distributed. As a result, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety decided to temporarily halt the shipment, distribution, and sale of the species.

Zucchini, also called pork squash, is a different variety from commonly consumed squashes such as aehobak and danhobak in typical households.

The Ministry of Education informed the offices of education to provide related information to schools and instructed them to exclude domestically produced zucchini from school meals until April 2nd.

Additionally, if the products have already been delivered to schools, they are to be recalled through the suppliers.

An official from the Ministry of Education explained, "Whether to continue suspending the provision in school meals after April 2nd will be determined based on the review results from the relevant ministries."