Recent Violations of Chinese Food Exports to South Korea in May 2024

In May 2024, several instances of violations were reported regarding Chinese food exports to South Korea. These violations, which have been updated until May 10th, raise concerns about the compliance and safety standards of the exported food products. 

The exportation of food products is a critical aspect of international trade, facilitating the availability of diverse culinary experiences. However, ensuring the safety and compliance of these products is of utmost importance to protect consumer health. Unfortunately, recent incidents involving Chinese food exports to South Korea have revealed violations that demand immediate attention.

One of the reported violations involved the export of Black Sesame Mooncakes by Dunhua Xuemei Food Co., Ltd. These mooncakes were found to contain excessive levels of preservatives, specifically sorbic acid, exceeding the permissible limit of 0.005 g/kg. Similarly, another batch of mooncakes, the Perilla Honey Mooncakes, also produced by Dunhua Xuemei Food Co., Ltd., exceeded the allowed limit of dehydroacetic acid, another preservative, with a concentration of 0.002 g/kg.

In addition to mooncakes, violations were observed in other food products as well. The Big Five Kernel Mooncakes, also exported by Dunhua Xuemei Food Co., Ltd., were found to contain an excessive amount of sorbic acid, surpassing the permissible limit. Furthermore, an issue was identified with lunch boxes manufactured by Shantou Qishan Rubber Plastic Co., Ltd. These lunch boxes exhibited excessive total migration of polypropylene (PP) and 1,3-butadiene in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which violated the prescribed limits.

The violations extended beyond bakery products and lunch boxes. Xingtai Changbaoer Food Co., Ltd. faced a violation for the presence of banned tar colorants in their Mini Burger Shaped Jelly. Another violation involved Angel Yeast (Liuzhou) Co., Ltd., whose yeast extract product, Yeast Extract KU015, was found to contain higher-than-permitted levels of glutamic acid.

Furthermore, Qingdao Green Weidu Food Co., Ltd. violated the acceptable limit of triadimefon pesticide residue in their Frozen Carrot Shredded product. Yanbian Wangqing Dried Vegetables Process Co., Ltd. faced penalties for re-importing the same food products that had previously received non-compliance sanctions.

Additional violations included excessive fluoride levels in calcium chloride exported by Weifang Banghua Chemical Co., Ltd. and the presence of metallic foreign bodies in Jujube Powder produced by Anhui Tuowei Yangshengfang Co., Ltd.

These violations underscore the importance of stringent regulations and robust quality control measures for food exports. It is imperative for both exporting and importing countries to collaborate closely in monitoring and enforcing compliance with safety standards. Regular inspections, thorough testing, and proper documentation are essential to prevent such violations and safeguard consumer health.

The recent violations of Chinese food exports to South Korea in May 2024 raise concerns about the adherence to safety and compliance standards. The incidents involving excessive preservatives, pesticide residues, foreign bodies, and other non-compliant substances highlight the need for stricter regulations and enhanced quality control measures. By strengthening oversight and fostering international cooperation, it is possible to ensure the safety and integrity of food imports, protecting consumers and fostering trust in the global food trade.