Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct Intensive Investigation on Illegal Activities of Seasonal Foods Ahead of Chuseok

The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police Unit will conduct an intensive investigation into illegal activities related to Chuseok seasonal food products ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

Gyeonggi Province is cracking down on illegal activities related to seasonal food products ahead of Chuseok.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police announced on the 8th that from the 19th to the 30th, they will conduct intensive investigations of 360 locations, including food manufacturing and processing businesses and livestock product processing and sales businesses, to ensure the safety of seasonal food products for the Chuseok holiday.

The main investigation points include ▲false labeling of origin ▲unregistered or unreported manufacturing and sales ▲violation of preservation standards such as storing frozen products in refrigeration ▲distribution and sales of products past their expiration date.

In particular, with the surge in demand for Chuseok and the significant price difference between domestic and foreign products, they will focus on checking for origin labeling violations in seasonal foods such as livestock products, rice cakes, and kimchi, where illegal distribution is expected to increase.

Under the current 'Origin Labeling Act,' false labeling of origin is punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 million won, and under the 'Food Sanitation Act,' unregistered food manufacturing or processing or violations of food preservation standards and specifications are punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Additionally, manufacturing, processing, cooking, selling, subdividing, transporting, displaying, or storing products or raw materials past their expiration date for sale is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Ki Do, head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police, stated, "Through investigations of seasonal food processing and sales businesses for Chuseok, we will do our best to create a safe food environment where residents can eat with peace of mind."