After Hanwoo, Pork Too... Ministry of Agriculture Strengthens Supervision of Injection Needles

Following the detection of injection needles in pork after similar incidents in Korean beef, the government has decided to strengthen supervision of related industries.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it will enhance management and supervision of related sectors such as farms, slaughterhouses, and meat packaging processing businesses in collaboration with relevant agencies including the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to prevent cases of foreign substances being detected in livestock products.

A syringe needle found in stir-fried spicy pork.
[Photo by Online Community]

The Ministry explained that inspections for foreign substances in livestock products are thoroughly conducted by the final meat packaging companies using metal detectors, and the government supervises through sampling during the distribution stage.

However, as some cases of foreign substances not being removed have occurred, the Ministry emphasized that veterinarians and livestock farmers will be thoroughly educated to always use new needles when administering vaccines or other medicines to prevent needles from easily breaking. In cases where needles inevitably break, livestock farmers must notify the situation when shipping animals so that strong administrative guidance can be implemented to ensure focused management and removal during the processing stage.

If foreign substances are detected while consuming livestock products, consumers can report to 1399 or Food Safety Korea, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will conduct cause investigations and take administrative actions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to strengthen guidance to related industries such as meat processing, packaging, and sales to ensure thorough inspection for foreign substances.