Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Uncover 13 Illegal Imported Food Businesses Linked to African Swine Fever

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on March 11 that, as a result of investigations into imported food sales businesses to prevent the introduction and spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Korea, a total of 13 violations were uncovered, including unreported imported food sales.

Gyeonggi Province previously conducted a special investigation from February 23 to March 6, targeting around 240 imported food sales businesses located in ASF outbreak areas (such as Anseong and Hwaseong) and areas with a high concentration of foreigners (such as Ansan and Siheung).

The violations detected included: ▲ eight cases of displaying or selling unreported imported foods, ▲ four cases of violating food labeling standards, and ▲ one case of violating business compliance requirements.

Key examples of violations include: A mart in Siheung City displayed five packages of marinated pork products and 106 sausages, all unreported imports, for sale; a distributor in Ansan City was caught selling 34 unreported imported sausages; and a business in Anseong City was found storing imported lamb ribs without Korean labeling in a freezer for the purpose of sale.

Special Investigation Results of the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police Unit on 'Illegal Imported Food Sales Establishments'

The Special Judicial Police seized all pork products and other relevant items and requested African Swine Fever genetic testing from the Gyeonggi Provincial Animal Hygiene Laboratory.

Any display or sale of foods or livestock products without proper import declaration is punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won under the Food Sanitation Act and the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act. Additionally, violating food labeling standards is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won under the Food Labeling and Advertising Act.

Kwon Moonjoo, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, stated, "Illegal imported pork products, which could serve as a route for ASF virus introduction, pose a serious threat to pig farms and, as they lack allergy labeling and other information, could also severely harm the health of residents. We will do our utmost to eradicate the sale of illegal imported foods."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.