Six Establishments in Incheon Caught for Mislabeling Chinese Kimchi and Chili Powder as Domestic Products

Origin Labeled as "Domestic, Chinese" in Some Cases
Six-Week Crackdown on Businesses Using Delivery Apps and Online Platforms

The Incheon Metropolitan Government has recently uncovered six establishments engaged in illegal activities during a six-week crackdown on businesses selling food and livestock products through delivery apps and online platforms.

According to the Incheon Special Judicial Police on April 22, the crackdown focused on businesses registered with popular delivery apps and delivery restaurants located in densely populated areas such as apartment complexes and university districts.

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Restaurant A in Namdong-gu falsely labeled the origin of its napa cabbage kimchi, which was made with Chinese chili powder, as domestic. Restaurant B in Yeonsu-gu labeled the origin of the napa cabbage in its Chinese-made napa cabbage kimchi as "domestic, Chinese," potentially causing consumer confusion.

Restaurants C in Namdong-gu and D in Yeonsu-gu violated relevant regulations by failing to indicate the origin of Chinese nurungji (scorched rice). Establishments E in Namdong-gu and F in Seo-gu were found storing livestock products past their expiration date in refrigerated or frozen storage.

To verify illegal distribution of livestock products, the city collected samples of Korean beef and pork from 11 establishments for origin testing, and all were confirmed to be of domestic origin.

Under the current Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, violations of compliance requirements by livestock product business operators can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. In addition, the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products stipulates that food service establishments that falsely or confusingly label the origin of napa cabbage kimchi may face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won, and failure to indicate the origin may result in an administrative fine (first offense: 300,000 won).

An official from the Incheon Special Judicial Police stated, "As the delivery and consumption of agricultural and livestock food products is expected to continue increasing, we will thoroughly inspect origin labeling and hygiene management."