70s Businessman Sentenced to Prison with Probation
A man in his 70s was found guilty in court for distributing broccoli imported from China that contained pesticide levels exceeding the standard by 50 times.
On the 10th, Judge Han Sohee of the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 10 announced that A (in his 70s), who was charged with violating the Food Sanitation Act, was sentenced to one year in prison with a three-year probation. The company represented by A was also fined 10 million won and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
A was prosecuted for selling a total of 300 boxes (2,400 kg) of Chinese broccoli, which had not been declared for import, to fruit and vegetable wholesalers in the Seoul metropolitan area in August of last year instead of disposing of it. The value of the agricultural products was confirmed to be approximately 6.25 million won.
The Special Act on Imported Food Safety Management requires that imported food must be declared for import when sold or imported, manufactured, or processed for sale.
However, A sold the broccoli imported from China to domestic markets despite the fact that the Food and Drug Safety Administration had deemed it unfit due to pesticide levels exceeding the permissible limit, which prevented the import declaration.
The court stated, “The defendant distributed the imported food even though the pesticide containing toxic substances remained at levels 50 times above the standard,” and pointed out, “The amount distributed accounted for one-quarter of the products that were judged unfit, and it is unclear whether all the sold products were recalled.” However, the court ruled, “Considering the defendant’s remorse, the fact that an accomplice had already completed preparations for shipment and encouraged shipment, leading to a momentary lapse in judgment, and the defendant’s advanced age, this sentence is imposed.”
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