Incheon Agricultural Products Safety Inspection... 2.4% Exceed Pesticide Residue Limits

The Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute announced on the 25th that out of a total of 4,447 safety inspections for harmful substances in agricultural products conducted this year, 2.4% (108 cases) were judged to be non-compliant.

The non-compliant agricultural products included 97 domestic and 11 imported cases, such as perilla leaves and dried chili peppers, which were found to exceed the allowable limits for pesticide residues.

The institute seized and disposed of all the affected agricultural products and urgently notified related agencies such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, and the relevant local governments to block distribution and ensure measures such as imposition of fines were taken.

Previously, the institute collected and conducted safety inspections on 3,433 agricultural products brought into Samsan and Namchon public wholesale markets, focusing on items frequently consumed by citizens or those that often exceeded harmful substance limits, as well as 1,014 agricultural products distributed through large discount stores and online channels.

A representative of the Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute stated, "We will closely monitor agricultural products consumed through various distribution channels such as wholesale markets, online, food material marts, and local food stores to ensure that safe and reliable agricultural products reach citizens' tables."

Meanwhile, the institute has been analyzing inspection results from 2019 to this year and creating promotional materials containing pesticide ingredient information and proper usage methods, which are distributed to farmers in cooperation with the Incheon office of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service.