Restaurant Owner Sentenced to Six Months in Prison, One Year Probation for Misleading Beef Origin Labeling

Marinated Ribs Made with American Beef...
On One Side of the Menu, "Only Hanwoo Served"

Daejeon District Court Exterior

On October 7, Chief Judge Jang Wonji of the Criminal Division 5 at the Daejeon District Court announced that restaurant owner A had been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year, for violating the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products by misleadingly labeling the origin of beef.

From 2022 until January of this year, A was tried on charges of selling marinated ribs made with American beef and special tripe grilled dishes made with New Zealand beef, while labeling the origin in a way that could mislead consumers into believing that Korean beef (Hanwoo) was used.

Although the correct origin was indicated on the back of the menu, the front of the menu and promotional boards advertised phrases such as "Only Hanwoo served," using the term "Hanwoo" in their marketing.

Judge Jang stated, "Falsely labeling the origin of products undermines consumer trust in food and disrupts distribution order, and therefore must be strictly punished." He added, "The court considered that the defendant admitted to the crime and has no prior convictions for similar offenses."