"Zucchini, Return All Within 2 Days Even After Cooking"

Unapproved Genetically Modified Organisms Detected
1 Item 1000 Won Compensation... Full Refund

The government will collect and dispose of all zucchini pumpkins, also known as "dwaeji hobak" (pig pumpkins). This action follows the confirmation that unapproved genetically modified zucchini pumpkins have been distributed domestically.

Photo by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

On the 1st, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety informed consumers storing domestic zucchini pumpkins that they can return them by the 2nd and receive compensation. Earlier, on the 27th of last month, the Ministry of Agriculture and related agencies confirmed that some zucchini pumpkin seeds had not received approval as genetically modified organisms (LMOs). It was found that in 2015, a company imported zucchini pumpkin seeds without undergoing the domestic quarantine procedures.

Authorities in the United States and Canada evaluated that the LMO in question is not harmful to humans and that its environmental impact is at the same level as regular pumpkins. However, the government has banned the sale of these seeds and initiated a recall. The shipment of zucchini pumpkins currently being cultivated on farms has been temporarily suspended, and a full investigation is underway. Shipments will resume from the 3rd if LMO-negative results are confirmed.

Distributors holding zucchini pumpkins have also stopped sales, and all pumpkins in consumers' possession will be collected.

If consumers are storing zucchini pumpkins, they can return them to four major supermarkets: Lotte Mart, E-Mart, Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, and Homeplus. Food service companies that purchased zucchini pumpkins from agricultural wholesale markets can return them to the respective wholesalers.

If a purchase receipt is available, compensation will be provided at the purchase price; if there is no receipt, 1,000 KRW per pumpkin will be compensated. Even pumpkins that have already been cooked can be returned, but the physical pumpkin must be presented for the return. For large quantities or box units, an average wholesale price of 2,200 KRW per kilogram over the past two weeks will be refunded.