MFDS: "No 'Group 1 Carcinogen Cabbage' Imported into Korea"

It has been confirmed that the recent controversy surrounding “Chinese napa cabbage classified as a Group 1 carcinogen” has not resulted in such cabbage being imported into Korea.

Oh Yukyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is visiting the Pyeongtaek Imported Food Inspection Center in Gyeonggi Province to inspect the testing site for Chinese napa cabbage and napa cabbage kimchi. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 31st that it has verified through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China that the formaldehyde-treated napa cabbage from Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China, has not been exported to Korea.

Since the media reports on August 24 regarding Chinese cabbage treated with formaldehyde, the Ministry has strengthened inspections during the customs clearance process. Formaldehyde tests have been conducted each time Chinese napa cabbage was imported, and inspections were also carried out by manufacturing facility for napa cabbage kimchi and salted napa cabbage.

As a result of these measures, it has been confirmed that none of the 15 cases of Chinese napa cabbage and 124 cases of napa cabbage kimchi inspected so far have tested positive for formaldehyde. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to maintain these stricter import clearance measures for Chinese napa cabbage, salted napa cabbage, and napa cabbage kimchi in the future as well.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a subsidiary of the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen. Depending on the level and route of exposure, it can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and exposure to high concentrations can be fatal to human health.

On this day, Oh Yukyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, visited the Pyeongtaek Imported Food Inspection Center in Gyeonggi Province to personally inspect the testing site for Chinese napa cabbage and napa cabbage kimchi, and expressed appreciation for the dedication of the on-site personnel. She also urged them to strictly carry out the management of imported food safety.

Commissioner Oh stated, “Thoroughly blocking safety risk factors in imported food at the customs clearance stage is a key safeguard for protecting public safety,” adding, “Please maintain a rigorous inspection system with an unwavering commitment to ensuring that not a single harmful food item is allowed into the country.”

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