Gyeongsangnam-do Province will conduct a special crackdown on violations of origin labeling for agricultural products intended as holiday gifts or ritual offerings from September 19 to October 2, ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
The province announced on September 18 that, during this period, it will guide and inspect the origin labeling of agricultural products at major distribution outlets in the province, including large discount stores, traditional markets, and restaurants that primarily handle agricultural and livestock products.
The inspection will cover 663 items of agricultural products and processed goods, as well as 29 items at restaurants, including beef, napa cabbage kimchi, rice, and soybeans.
A Gyeongnam Province official is guiding and inspecting the origin labeling of agricultural products at a local supermarket in the province. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
The province will focus on several key areas: failure to label the origin; falsely labeling foreign products as domestic and selling them; disguising mixed domestic and foreign products as entirely domestic; proper implementation and methods of origin labeling; and whether documentation certifying the origin is available.
Additionally, the province will provide guidance on origin labeling methods and promote the origin labeling system to businesses vulnerable to violations, such as those in traditional markets and small-scale establishments.
This inspection will be carried out by a joint task force composed of the provincial government, city and county officials, and the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, as well as by independent city and county inspection teams.
If violations are discovered, administrative procedures such as fines or prosecution will be imposed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Under the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products, falsely labeling the origin can result in imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine of up to 100 million won, while failure to label the origin can lead to a fine of up to 10 million won.
Seo Yangkwon, director of the Agricultural Food Distribution Division, stated, "Through guidance and inspection of origin labeling for agricultural products ahead of Chuseok, we will do our utmost to prevent illegal distribution in advance so that residents can trust and purchase our local agricultural products."
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