Flies in Unopened Gaoliang Liquor... "Stricter Inspection Needed for Chinese Food Products"

Seokyeongdeok "Safe Food Directly Linked to Public Health"

Recently, a foreign substance presumed to be a fly was found in an unopened bottle of Chinese-made Gaoliang liquor, sparking controversy. On the 31st, Professor Seokyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University called for a thorough investigation into the import of Chinese food products.

Professor Seo stated on his Facebook that "It is time for our government to strengthen more thorough inspections on the import of Chinese food products," emphasizing that "safe food is a very important issue directly related to the health of the people."

[Image source=Professor Seokyung Deok Facebook]

Earlier, Mr. A, who lives in Incheon, ordered Gaoliang liquor at a restaurant in Seoul last September and witnessed a foreign substance inside the bottle, causing controversy. The foreign substance was about 2 cm long, with a slender snout, six legs, and a pair of wings, resembling a fly in appearance.

Mr. A said, "There was a strange object inside the bottle, and upon closer inspection, it was a fly carcass," adding, "It was definitely inside before opening the bottle cap." He also added, "A companion at the dinner contacted the importer to raise the issue, but the response was insincere."

Regarding this, Professor Seo pointed out, "The liquor in question is produced at a manufacturing plant in China and distributed through a domestic importer."

Professor Seo also mentioned past controversies involving Tsingtao beer and naked kimchi. He said, "Last year, a video showing a man urinating on raw materials at a Tsingtao beer production plant, one of China's four major beers, was released, causing a major controversy," and "In 2021, a video of a Chinese man entering a tank naked to pickle cabbage, known as 'naked kimchi,' was released, causing a huge uproar."

Meanwhile, manufacturers or food establishments found negligent in foreign substance contamination can be sanctioned under the Food Sanitation Act. Current law prohibits the sale, manufacture, import, processing, use, cooking, storage, subdivision, transportation, preservation, or display of food or food additives that do not meet standards and specifications. Based on this, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety imposes administrative measures on violating manufacturers depending on the degree of foreign substance contamination and negligence. Responsible parties may face imprisonment of up to five years or fines up to 50 million won, but if there is no clear cause or responsibility, it is expected to be difficult to hold the company or establishment accountable.