Eight Stores Caught Selling Illegally Imported Food Items Intended for Personal Use

Eight discount stores selling imported snacks have been caught displaying and selling foreign food products that were originally purchased for personal consumption.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that it conducted a joint inspection with the Korea Customs Service, targeting 15 locations, including imported snack discount stores with high volumes of overseas direct purchase history. The inspection revealed that eight of these businesses violated food-related laws.

Among the businesses caught, four were found to be selling food products imported via direct purchase from countries such as Japan, Germany, and the United States without registering as an import business.

The other four stores were caught selling imported food products that lacked the required Korean labeling.

An official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "Overseas direct purchase food items brought into the country for personal consumption cannot be sold to others or used for business purposes."

The official further emphasized that those intending to import food products for sale must complete import business registration, file formal import declarations, and undergo the necessary inspection procedures.

The ministry also advised consumers to check for Korean labeling on the product packaging when purchasing imported food items.

(Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.