Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment: 99.5% of Agricultural Products Safe in First Half of Year

Inappropriate Rate at 0.5%, Down from Last Year's 1.2%

The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 18th that, as a result of safety inspections conducted in the first half of this year on agricultural products distributed in the Ulsan area, 99.5% were found to be safe.

This inspection targeted 595 cases, including agricultural products before auction at the agricultural and fisheries wholesale market, agricultural products distributed at large supermarkets and local retail stores, and agricultural products sold at local food direct sales stores.

The inspection items included residual pesticides (400 types including Phorate), mycotoxins (such as Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, and Zearalenone), and sulfur dioxide.

As a result, 3 out of 595 cases (0.5%) were found to be non-compliant, showing a decrease in the non-compliance rate compared to the first half of last year, when 7 out of 589 cases (1.2%) were non-compliant.

The non-compliant agricultural products were three items: chili peppers, dongcho, and spinach, all of which exceeded the residual pesticide standards for insecticide ingredients (ethoprophos, fenitrothion, terbufos).

The non-compliant agricultural products were urgently reported to administrative agencies for complete seizure and disposal, and notifications were also sent to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, related agencies in cities and provinces nationwide, and production areas to preemptively block their distribution.

A representative from the institute stated, "To create a safe distribution environment for agricultural products, we conducted safety inspections in the first half of this year on agricultural products in high demand during the Lunar New Year, those supplied to group meal facilities at the start of the school year, and those widely consumed in spring and summer."

They also added, "In the second half of the year, we will conduct safety inspections on agricultural products supplied to group meal facilities at the start of the fall semester, those in high demand during Chuseok, and those widely consumed during kimchi-making season to ensure the distribution of safe agricultural products."