The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service said on the 11th that it caught 142 businesses that falsified the country of origin for napa cabbage kimchi and seasonings ahead of the kimchi-making season. The results come from inspections of about 47,000 locations nationwide from Oct. 27 to Dec. 5.
The agency focused on cracking down on acts of selling products with falsified country-of-origin labeling. Special judicial police officers and honorary monitors took part in the crackdown. Targets included napa cabbage kimchi manufacturers, salted cabbage processors, wholesalers, online retailers, and general restaurants.
Of the businesses caught, 101 were booked on charges of "false labeling." Forty-one caught for failing to label were fined a total of 20.65 million won. General restaurants accounted for the most violations at 108. Eight manufacturers, five rest-stop restaurants, and four group meal providers were also caught.
The most common type of violation involved disguising napa cabbage kimchi. A restaurant in Jeju used Chinese-made napa cabbage kimchi but labeled it "both cabbage and red pepper powder are domestic." The amount involved was 23,700 kilograms. The agency booked the business on criminal charges.
A processing company in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province used Chinese red pepper powder to make its products. The company labeled the red pepper powder's origin as domestic. The amount in violation was 10,700 kilograms.
National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service Administrator Kim Sang-gyeong said, "We will strengthen country-of-origin inspections and promotions so consumers can purchase our agricultural and food products with confidence."