Jeonnam Province to Intensively Crack Down on 'Country of Origin Labeling Violations' During Lunar New Year Holiday

22 Cities and Counties, Joint Inspection with Agricultural Products Quality Management Service
Until the 24th... Holiday Demand Items Such as Fruits, Vegetables, and Wild Greens

Jeollanam-do will launch an intensive crackdown on violations of origin labeling ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

This inspection, which will run for about fifteen days until the 24th, will be conducted jointly with 22 cities and counties and the Jeonnam branch of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service.

Jeonnam Province, together with 22 cities and counties and the Jeonnam branch of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, will conduct an intensive crackdown on origin labeling violations until the 24th. The photo shows an investigator conducting an inspection at a market. Provided by Jeonnam Province. Photo by Jeonnam Province

The inspection will focus on agricultural products sold at traditional markets, restaurants, and large supermarkets, including fruits, vegetables, wild greens, local agricultural products, processed goods, and gift items that are in high demand during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The inspection will cover: ▲ failure to display origin or using labeling methods that may confuse consumers ▲ false labeling of origin ▲ whether supporting documents such as receipts verifying the origin are kept in restaurants.

During the inspection period, minor violations will be corrected on the spot, while serious violations such as failure to indicate origin or false labeling will be prosecuted or fined in accordance with relevant laws.

In particular, if false labeling of origin is detected, offenders may face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won under the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products. Failure to indicate origin or violation of labeling methods may result in a fine of up to 10 million won.

Park Sangmi, head of the Agricultural Food Distribution Division of Jeollanam-do, said, "We will thoroughly crack down on violations of origin labeling so that residents and consumers can purchase agricultural products with confidence during the Lunar New Year."