Gyeonggi Province has cracked down on food manufacturing and sales businesses that violated related laws by storing products past their consumption date or failing to comply with livestock product preservation standards ahead of the Lunar New Year.
The Special Judicial Police Unit of Gyeonggi Province announced on the 24th that, after conducting an intensive investigation from January 6 to 17 targeting 360 food manufacturing and processing businesses and large to medium-sized marts (other food sales businesses) within the province, a total of 27 illegal activities were uncovered.
Key violations include a ready-to-eat manufacturing and processing company A in Seongnam City that stored seven types of raw materials, including strawberry concentrate, which were 7 months past their consumption date, in a refrigerator without labeling them for disposal. Food manufacturing and processing company B in Hwaseong City failed to keep production work logs and raw material transaction records for five months while producing sesame oil and roasted sesame seeds. Food manufacturing and processing company C in Guri City, which produces rice cake products that require self-quality inspections at least once every three months, did not conduct the inspections.
Meat sales company D in Siheung City stored pork neck meat, which must be refrigerated between -2°C and 10°C, frozen at -12°C. Food manufacturing and processing company F in Namyangju City was caught storing and using freshly made tofu products in an additional refrigerated warehouse installed outdoors, outside the registered business premises.
Status of investigations on food manufacturing and sales businesses during the Lunar New Year holiday by the Gyeonggi-do Special Judicial Police Unit. Provided by Gyeonggi-do
Storing products past their consumption date without labeling them as ‘for educational use’ or ‘for disposal,’ or failing to comply with refrigeration and freezing standards for livestock products, can result in imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW under the Food Sanitation Act and the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act.
Additionally, failing to conduct self-quality inspections or failing to report changes in business area to the relevant authorities can lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW under the Food Sanitation Act.
Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit Chief Ki-do Ko stated, "Since violations related to holiday peak season food products occur every year, the businesses caught will be strictly punished according to relevant laws. We will do our best to eradicate illegal activities that threaten food safety." He added, "To prevent violations caused by carelessness or negligence, we organize the types of violations and provide guidance to business operators so they can operate legally."
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