'Unreported Operations in Restricted Areas'... Gyeonggi Province Uncovers Widespread Illegal Activities at Coffee Businesses

Gyeonggi Province has uncovered a large number of coffee manufacturing, processing, and sales businesses that violated relevant laws, such as operating food service businesses without reporting to the supervising authorities, or changing the use of buildings without authorization in water source protection areas or development-restricted zones.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit announced on June 11 that, as a result of inspecting 150 coffee manufacturing and sales businesses in the province between May 11 and 22, 23 establishments (with a total of 36 violations) were found to be in breach of the Food Sanitation Act, the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act, and the Act on the Designation and Management of Development-Restricted Zones.

The main violations included: ▲ 8 cases of unreported business operations, ▲ 8 cases of failing to fulfill self-quality inspection obligations, ▲ 5 cases each of unauthorized change and use of building purposes in water source protection areas and development-restricted zones, ▲ 3 cases of failing to report changes in business area size, and ▲ 7 cases of violating operator compliance requirements, such as storing products past their expiration date.

For example, establishment A was caught providing food service by preparing and selling coffee with tables, chairs, water facilities, kitchen, and restrooms, without reporting to the supervising authority. Establishment B manufactured roasted coffee products using a roasting machine installed in the store but failed to conduct self-quality inspections at least once every nine months.

Results of Crackdown on Illegal Activities at Coffee Specialty Manufacturing, Processing, and Sales Businesses by the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police Unit

Establishment C was found to have changed and used a building designated for 'retail store' purposes as a 'rest area restaurant' to prepare and sell coffee, other beverages, and desserts within a water source protection area and a development-restricted zone, without authorization.

According to the Food Sanitation Act, operating a food service business without reporting or failing to fulfill the self-quality inspection obligation may result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won for each violation. Under the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act, unauthorized change or use of a building's purpose within a water source protection area may result in imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won. If the same act is committed within a development-restricted zone, the Act on the Designation and Management of Development-Restricted Zones stipulates imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Kwon Munju, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit, stated, "Coffee is a popular food item among our residents, so food safety is more important than anything else. However, illegal activities are rampant even in areas designated to protect drinking water and the environment." He added, "The businesses that were caught will be strictly penalized in accordance with relevant regulations, and we will do our utmost to ensure food safety and lawful business operations for residents by continuing rigorous crackdowns."

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