"Chuseok Seasonal Products, Check Origin Before Purchase"…Intensive Inspection Until the 13th of Next Month

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service announced on the 26th that it will conduct a comprehensive inspection of origin labeling for ritual food items such as meat, fruits, and vegetables, which see a surge in demand before the Chuseok holiday, as well as health functional foods, traditional foods, galbi (marinated ribs), gift items, and famous local specialties until the 13th of next month.

This inspection will prioritize manufacturers and processors of gift and ritual agricultural products from the 26th to the 3rd of next month, and from September 4th to 13th, it will focus on agricultural and livestock product distributors in major cities, including department stores, large supermarkets, and traditional markets. According to last year’s Chuseok origin labeling inspection results, the top violations were pork, followed by napa cabbage kimchi, tofu products, and beef.

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For major forest products among this Chuseok’s seasonal items, a joint inspection will be conducted with the Korea Forest Service. Criminal penalties will be imposed for falsely labeling foreign products as domestic or for selling lesser-known regional agricultural products as famous local specialties. Fines will be imposed for failure to label the origin.

Park Sung-woo, Director of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, stated, "We plan to strengthen origin labeling inspections and promotions so that consumers can trust and purchase our agricultural products during the Chuseok holiday." He also urged, "Consumers should check the origin labeling when purchasing gift and ritual food items."