▲ Inspection of imported Chinese stem lettuce
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced today (Sept. 8) that edible food colorings were not detected in any of the 8 samples of imported Chinese stem lettuce (gungchae) currently distributed domestically.
This emergency inspection by the Ministry follows local Chinese media reports that stem lettuce treated with edible food coloring was being distributed in Gansu Province, China.
The use of coloring agents, including edible food colorings, is strictly prohibited in natural agricultural products.
The Ministry implemented reinforced customs clearance inspections for Chinese stem lettuce the previous day and is testing for the use of edible colorings.
In addition to the 8 samples subjected to this emergency inspection, the Ministry has additionally collected stem lettuce currently circulating in the domestic market to continue testing.
Furthermore, the Ministry is verifying through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China whether stem lettuce treated with edible colorings has been imported into South Korea.
Last month, a controversy erupted after it was revealed that formaldehyde was used to maintain the freshness of Chinese cabbage in some rural regions of China.
Formaldehyde is a hazardous substance classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an organization under the World Health Organization (WHO).
In response, the Ministry strengthened import customs clearance inspections targeting Chinese cabbages, salted cabbages, and kimchi made from Chinese cabbage.
The Ministry previously stated that it confirmed through the Korean Embassy in China that cabbages treated with formaldehyde had not been imported into South Korea.
(Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.