Lotte Mart Introduces AI Inspection System to Select High-Fat Products
SSG.com Strengthens Inspection Standards... Introduces 'Transparent' Samgyeopsal
Government Releases 'Samgyeopsal Quality Management Manual'
Ahead of 'SamSam Day (Samgyeopsal Day)' on the 3rd of this month, major retailers, supermarkets, and e-commerce platforms have simultaneously launched Samgyeopsal discount events. These distribution companies have stepped up thorough quality control measures this year, following annual controversies over 'fatty chunk Samgyeopsal' during SamSam Day events.
According to the distribution industry on the 1st, Lotte Mart and Lotte Super, operated by Lotte Shopping, are offering a 50% discount on domestically produced Korean pork Samgyeopsal and pork neck (each per 100g) when paid with event cards until the 3rd. The selling prices are 1,390 KRW at Lotte Mart and 1,590 KRW at Lotte Super. To provide benefits to many customers, Lotte Mart limits sales to 2 kg per person, while Lotte Super limits sales to 3 packs per person (each pack approximately 600g).
Artificial intelligence (AI) livestock product sorter introduced at Lotte Mart Fresh Quality Innovation Center. [Photo by Lotte Mart]
Before this Samgyeopsal discount event, Lotte Mart introduced an AI inspection selection system for Samgyeopsal at its Fresh Quality Innovation Center starting from the 21st of last month. The AI selection system utilizes 'deep learning,' a technology where computers combine, analyze, and learn from external data. The AI equipment analyzes the cross-section of Samgyeopsal, checks the ratio of lean meat to fat, and selects overly fatty Samgyeopsal. Lotte Mart expects that the AI selection system will enable more precise and objective selection compared to previous methods.
Additionally, Lotte Mart has strengthened inspection standards from the stage of Samgyeopsal arrival. All Samgyeopsal products sold at nationwide Lotte Mart stores are directly inspected at the Fresh Quality Innovation Center, where the thickness of the fat on the Samgyeopsal is checked according to government guidelines. The number of sample inspections during arrival quality checks has also been doubled. During the productization process, emphasis is placed on removing excessive fat, and the products are processed accordingly. When packaging, the Samgyeopsal is spread out so that its condition can be seen at a glance.
During the same period, Lotte Department Store, which is also holding a discount event for SamSam Day, focuses on selling high-quality Samgyeopsal. Lotte Department Store selected 10 tons of ideal lean Samgyeopsal with an optimal fat ratio from three of the best-quality farms among 135 farms under the Seogwipo City Livestock Cooperative. It was emphasized that Lotte Department Store’s meat buyers, who hold meat processing technician certifications, personally visited the farms to manage the entire process from slaughtering to processing and selection. Lotte Department Store offers up to 40% discount on Jeju pork Samgyeopsal and 30% discount on Hi-Pork and Boseong Nokdon pork.
SSG.com, Shinsegae’s e-commerce platform, strengthened its own inspection standards during the SamSam Day event running until the 7th. They set criteria for inspecting the thickness and ratio of fat in Samgyeopsal and conduct random product opening inspections during the event to verify quality. The Samgyeopsal product offered is 'Visible Samgyeopsal 1kg,' which is packaged so that the cross-section of the Samgyeopsal is fully visible in cooperation with partners. This product is sold at a 50% discount during the event, priced at about 1,680 KRW per 100g. Additionally, customers dissatisfied with product quality can use the 'Freshness Guarantee System' for exchanges or refunds.
Furthermore, Homeplus has been implementing Samgyeopsal product quality guidelines since February last year. Homeplus will also sell Samgyeopsal and pork neck at a 50% discount for two days on the 2nd and 3rd. GS The Fresh, which sells 500g of Korean pork Samgyeopsal, Ogyeopsal, and pork neck at 8,800 KRW each until the 5th, adds selected Korean pork products managed under quality standards by the quality management team, in addition to on-site visits by the responsible MD.
Nonghyup Distribution, which operates Hanaro Mart, will hold an event from the 29th to March 3rd selling Samgyeopsal at half price, 1,090 KRW per 100g, after inspecting products that meet its own quality standards.
The distribution industry’s emphasis on quality control of Samgyeopsal stems from controversies caused by the circulation of some low-quality products during previous Samgyeopsal discount events. During last year’s Samgyeopsal Day discount period, Samgyeopsal with more than half fat content was sold to consumers, leading to complaints against retailers.
Samgyeopsal sold on 'Samgyeopsal Day,' which sparked controversy due to excessive fat. [Photo by Online Community Capture]
Following continued reports of receiving Samgyeopsal with excessive fat ratios, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs issued the 'Samgyeopsal Quality Control Manual' in October last year. This manual provides step-by-step guidelines for pig slaughtering, trimming, excessive fat removal, and inspection for Samgyeopsal processing. According to the manual, the fat thickness for regular Samgyeopsal should be less than 1 cm, and for Ogyeopsal less than 1.5 cm. During this process, fat trimming can be done to a level that does not damage product quality, and parts with excessively high fat content are recommended to be discarded.
However, since the manual is a recommendation, voluntary participation by processing and supply companies is necessary. Due to the characteristics of pork, there is variation in fat layers by Samgyeopsal part, and some consumers prefer fatty meat, so the manual is not mandatory. A distribution industry official explained, "Providing customers with high-quality Samgyeopsal products is a fundamental duty," adding, "Considering last year’s 'fatty Samgyeopsal' controversy and the government-issued Samgyeopsal quality manual, we have strengthened quality standards."
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