"I ordered Korean pork belly, but it arrived as a lump of fat"

'Samgyeopsal 1cm or less, Ogyeopsal 1.5cm or less'
Government distributed recommended manual,
but controversy over high fat ratio in Samgyeopsal remains

The government issued guidelines to prevent the distribution of fatty chunks of Samgyeopsal, but Samgyeopsal is still being openly sold in the market, causing controversy. On the 13th, a post titled "Bought 1kg of Samgyeopsal on a hot deal, but got a chunk of fat" was uploaded on an online community.

The author of the post, Mr. A, shared a purchase record of well-known Korean pork Samgyeopsal from a recent online open market along with photos of the delivered Samgyeopsal. The photos clearly show that the fat portion makes up a much higher ratio than the lean meat.

Mr. A recently shared a photo of pork belly he received along with his purchase of well-known Korean pork belly from an online open market. From the photo, it is clear at a glance that the fat portion makes up a much higher ratio than the lean meat.
[Photo by Online Community]

Mr. A said, "They deceived by placing normal meat on top and a chunk of fat underneath," adding, "It's outrageous." Netizens who saw this responded with comments such as "I paid for fat," "Korean pork Samgyeopsal is no different," "Might as well use it to wipe the grill," and "This is not Samgyeopsal, just fatty meat."

This is not the first time that selling Samgyeopsal with an excessively high fat ratio has caused controversy. On March 3, 2022, known as 'Samgyeopsal Day,' some distributors promoted and sold Samgyeopsal at half price, which was found to be mostly fat. Also, in December last year, a netizen claimed to have received Samgyeopsal full of fat as a return gift from the 'Hometown Love Donation Program' in Michuhol-gu, Incheon.

As controversies surrounding Samgyeopsal persist, the government distributed the "Samgyeopsal Quality Management Manual" again last year, following its initial release in 2022. This manual, distributed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to meat processing associations, large supermarkets, and other livestock industry stakeholders, recommends that small-packaged Samgyeopsal sold in large supermarkets have fat trimmed to 1 cm or less, and Ogyeopsal to 1.5 cm or less. In particular, it advises considering the disposal of excessively fatty parts.
[Photo by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs]

As controversies related to Samgyeopsal continued, the government distributed the 'Samgyeopsal Quality Management Manual' again last year following 2022. This manual, distributed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to meat processing associations, large supermarkets, and other livestock industry stakeholders, recommends removing fat from small-packaged Samgyeopsal sold in large supermarkets to 1cm or less, and for Ogyeopsal to 1.5cm or less. It especially advises considering disposal of excessively fatty parts.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "Following last year's Samgyeopsal Day and recent confirmations of fatty chunks in Samgyeopsal, we redistributed the manual," adding, "We are preparing a certification system to award companies that sell products well aligned with the (Samgyeopsal quality management) guidelines."