ID :
21721
Sun, 09/28/2008 - 12:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21721
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S. Korea to create sweeping food safety measures over Chinese milk scandal
SEOUL, Sept. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to introduce a sweeping package of consumer protection measures in the wake of a Chinese milk scandal, officials said Sunday, with new measures including a class action suit system for victims and tougher punishment for importers.
Korean health authorities banned the sale of all Chinese foods containing dairy
after several products imported from China or made here with Chinese milk
ingredients were found to be contaminated with the toxic chemical melamine.
Rep. Ahn Hong-joon, the Grand National Party's screening committee head, said the
ruling party and the government agreed to introduce the consumer protection
measures that will impose unlimited responsibility on importers for their
products consumed here.
"I can hardly find a way to say this but to apologize for making the people worry
about what they eat," Ahn told reporters. "On this occasion, the authorities will
entirely revamp the monitoring and inspection process for all food items,
including imported items."
Consumers will be able to collectively sue local food manufacturers of tainted
food. Importers will have to mark the place of origin of their processed food on
a front label, and the place-of-origin tab will be at least half the size of the
brand name.
When tainted food items are recalled, the retrieval should be promptly made
public through television subtitles, and the government will issue a consumer
alert when information on alleged contamination is acquired.
Manufacturers will have their licenses suspended when violations related to food
safety are spotted twice and, will have to pay fines of up to 10 times more than
their proceeds from the tainted food.
The policy will also raise the minimum number of close examinations that imported
food must undergo from the current 20 percent to 30 percent of all items.
Countries that have a track record of food contamination will be subject to
tougher screening.
In particular, snacks for children will receive closer inspection. All additives
used in children's food should be permitted by the standards of the United
States, the European Union, Japan and the U.N. -- food guidelines called CODEX.
Chinese health officials said four children have died from consuming milk tainted
with melamine, and about 54,000 others have developed kidney stones or other
illnesses.
There is no report of a Korean victim yet.
Korean health authorities banned the sale of all Chinese foods containing dairy
after several products imported from China or made here with Chinese milk
ingredients were found to be contaminated with the toxic chemical melamine.
Rep. Ahn Hong-joon, the Grand National Party's screening committee head, said the
ruling party and the government agreed to introduce the consumer protection
measures that will impose unlimited responsibility on importers for their
products consumed here.
"I can hardly find a way to say this but to apologize for making the people worry
about what they eat," Ahn told reporters. "On this occasion, the authorities will
entirely revamp the monitoring and inspection process for all food items,
including imported items."
Consumers will be able to collectively sue local food manufacturers of tainted
food. Importers will have to mark the place of origin of their processed food on
a front label, and the place-of-origin tab will be at least half the size of the
brand name.
When tainted food items are recalled, the retrieval should be promptly made
public through television subtitles, and the government will issue a consumer
alert when information on alleged contamination is acquired.
Manufacturers will have their licenses suspended when violations related to food
safety are spotted twice and, will have to pay fines of up to 10 times more than
their proceeds from the tainted food.
The policy will also raise the minimum number of close examinations that imported
food must undergo from the current 20 percent to 30 percent of all items.
Countries that have a track record of food contamination will be subject to
tougher screening.
In particular, snacks for children will receive closer inspection. All additives
used in children's food should be permitted by the standards of the United
States, the European Union, Japan and the U.N. -- food guidelines called CODEX.
Chinese health officials said four children have died from consuming milk tainted
with melamine, and about 54,000 others have developed kidney stones or other
illnesses.
There is no report of a Korean victim yet.
