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/ Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea informed the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety that no formaldehyde-treated cabbages were exported to the country.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 31st, the Chinese Embassy confirmed that cabbages treated with formaldehyde from Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China, were not exported to South Korea.

Zhangjiakou encompasses 10 counties (administrative divisions), including Kangbao County, where some farms were recently reported by media outlets to have used formaldehyde on cabbages.

Following strengthened inspection measures at the customs clearance stage on the 24th, the ministry has been testing Chinese cabbages for formaldehyde upon every import. Tests are also underway by manufacturer for kimchi and salted cabbages.

As a result of testing 15 cases of Chinese cabbages and 124 cases of kimchi up to that day, no formaldehyde has been detected so far. Although the Chinese Embassy stated that there were no exports to South Korea, the ministry plans to maintain strengthened customs clearance inspections on Chinese cabbages, salted cabbages, and kimchi to ensure public safety.

Minister of Food and Drug Safety Oh Yu-kyoung visited the Pyeongtaek Imported Food Inspection Station on that day to inspect testing on-site for Chinese cabbages and kimchi, encouraging field personnel and urging rigorous enforcement of imported food safety management.

"Thoroughly blocking hazardous factors in imported food at the customs clearance stage is a core safeguard protecting public safety," Minister Oh emphasized. "Please maintain an airtight inspection system with a firm stance that not a single case of hazardous food will be permitted entry."

The ministry stated that it will closely analyze risk information on imported foods of concern and take necessary actions swiftly to ensure the public can consume imported foods with confidence.

                                                                                                          Lee Jeong-yeon