Gyeonggi Residents' Rights Committee Recommends Expanding Seafood Inspection Items... Expected to Increase to 167 Next Year

The Gyeonggi Provincial Residents' Rights Committee has recommended expanding the range of inspection items for seafood.

On July 24, the Gyeonggi Provincial Residents' Rights Committee announced that it had expressed the opinion that the Gyeonggi Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute should expand its seafood inspection items in order to strengthen the safety of seafood in the province.

According to the committee, the Gyeonggi Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute conducts seafood safety inspections at production stages, including harvesting and aquaculture, targeting fish farms and wholesale markets in the province whenever there are regular inspections or inspection requests.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

The institute currently inspects a total of 95 items, including 81 types of veterinary drugs, 3 types of heavy metals, and 2 types of radioactive substances. This is only 48.5% of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' inspection standard of 196 items. The figure is also significantly lower compared to other metropolitan governments such as Incheon (169 items), South Chungcheong (145 items), North Jeolla (196 items), and South Jeolla (188 items).

Accordingly, the Gyeonggi Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute is considering increasing the number of inspection items to 167 starting next year.

Jang Jinsu, chairperson of the Gyeonggi Provincial Residents' Rights Committee, stated, "Thorough safety inspections at the production stage not only block harmful substances but also encourage producer responsibility and contribute to establishing a sound seafood distribution structure."