Gov't to increase farm product inspections in 2010

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- The government said Wednesday that it will expand the
scope of its inspections on farm goods to better safeguard public health against
harmful residual materials.

The measures to be implemented this year call for a 13 percent increase in the
number of products to be checked, with emphasis placed on 54 types of grains,
vegetables and fruits that are consumed in large quantities on a regular basis,
the farm ministry said.
This year, inspectors will check for dioxin and radiation levels in products,
whereas in 2009, they checked only for residual levels of pesticides, heavy
metals, harmful microbes and fungi poison, it said.
"The number of samples that are to be checked will reach around 64,000 cases from
56,600 cases last year," a ministry official said.
He added that to ensure a more comprehensive screening process in accordance with
international standards, Seoul will follow rules set by the international Codex
Alimentarius Commission (CODEX).
CODEX rules will apply to all locally grown and imported foods.
The ministry, meanwhile, said it plans to designate a private food safety company
that can reduce the workload of the National Agricultural Products Quality
Management Service. Such a division of labor is expected to enhance the quality
of the country's overall screening process.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)

Delete & Prev | Delete & Next