South Korea conducts food safety inspections ahead of Chuseok

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is conducting intensive hygiene inspections of approximately 5,800 food businesses from August 31 to September 4 to ensure safety during the Chuseok holiday season. The inspections, carried out in cooperation with 16 local governments, target manufacturers and sellers of high-demand holiday items including rice cakes, traditional sweets, dumplings, traditional liquors, agricultural and fishery products, livestock products, and health functional foods.

Key inspection areas include checking for unregistered manufacturing, the sale of expired products, employee health certifications, and adherence to refrigeration and freezing temperature standards. Additionally, the MFDS will conduct safety tests on approximately 1,500 domestic food samples for pesticides, heavy metals, and foodborne pathogens.

For imported goods, the agency will strengthen inspections during the customs clearance stage, focusing on 33 categories including processed vegetable products, oils, meat products, and health supplements to test for heavy metals and veterinary drugs. The ministry will also monitor online marketplaces to prevent deceptive advertising, specifically targeting claims that falsely suggest food products can prevent or treat diseases or offer specific health benefits like ‘immunity enhancement’ or ‘gut health’.