Amid reports of stem lettuce (gongchae) treated with food coloring being circulated in China, it has been confirmed that the products in question have not been imported into South Korea.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) confirmed today (Sept. 11) through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China that Chinese stem lettuce treated with food coloring has not been imported domestically.

Previously, local media reports emerged that stem lettuce treated with food coloring was being distributed in Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, China, prompting the MFDS to verify whether the product had been imported into South Korea.

The MFDS stated that inspections of 18 samples of Chinese stem lettuce currently circulating domestically showed no food coloring detected in any of them.

Additionally, starting from the 7th, the ministry has tightened inspections for food coloring on Chinese stem lettuce at the customs clearance stage.

Results from testing three cases so far have also shown no traces of food coloring.