South Korean food safety and origin inspections

South Korean authorities have implemented a series of intensive food safety, hygiene, and origin inspections targeting various sectors of the food industry.

Initially, local authorities in regions such as Gwangju and Seoul focused on school-adjacent areas, monitoring food preparation establishments and unmanned stores to prevent food poisoning. This was followed by a national expansion by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) ahead of the Chuseok holiday, which involved hygiene inspections of approximately 5,800 businesses and safety testing of domestic food samples.

In conjunction with these efforts, local governments have expanded their focus to include public safety in high-traffic areas. In Daedeok-gu, authorities performed special safety checks on eight multi-use facilities, including traditional markets and retail outlets, to prevent fire hazards and accidents. Similarly, Gwangjin-gu completed intensive inspections of 23 traditional markets and alleyway shopping streets, focusing on fire safety, electricity, and gas leaks.

Parallel to these safety measures, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service and various municipalities, including Seoul and Hwaseong, have launched crackdowns on food origin mislabeling. These enforcement actions target agricultural, livestock, and fishery products—such as beef, pork, squid, and octopus—across traditional markets, retail stores, and online delivery platforms. This multi-phase crackdown aims to ensure consumer trust during the holiday season, utilizing specialized police and inspectors to monitor major seasonal items.