It was confirmed that unapproved genetically modified zucchini (pork squash) was circulating in Korea, and the government began to recall it.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on the 28th that consumers or retailers who have purchased and stored domestic zucchini can purchase them from the 29th to the 2nd of next month at the place of purchase or at a nearby large mart (Lotte Mart, E-Mart, Hanaro Mart, Homeplus). Asked to return it.
The Ministry of Education also requested education offices in 17 cities and provinces nationwide to temporarily suspend the provision of zucchini as school lunches.
Food material companies that purchased zucchini at the agricultural wholesale market can return it to the agricultural products wholesaler.
Previously, on the 26th, the government said, “Some domestic zucchini seeds have been identified as non-approved genetically modified organisms (LMOs).” .
Two types of zucchini pumpkin seeds identified as LMO were found to have been in circulation from 2015 until recently. However, authorities in the United States and Canada have evaluated that the LMO is not harmful to the human body and has the same environmental impact as ordinary amber, the government said.
The reason for receiving half a penny only until the 2nd of next month is that shipments of zucchini pumpkins from farms that have been confirmed negative for LMO are scheduled to resume from the 3rd. Returns are possible without a proof of purchase, but you must have the actual pumpkin. You can return it even if it has already been cooked.
Consumers who return goods will be compensated for the purchase price if they have a receipt, or 1,000 won per item if they do not. 2,200 won per kg will be refunded if the quantity is large or per box.
Other than zucchini, zucchini and sweet pumpkin are not subject to return. If it is difficult to return it, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explained that it can be disposed of in a food waste bag.
Meanwhile, last year, the government discovered LMOs during quarantine procedures on imports of foreign zucchini and pumpkin seeds. The National Seed Resources also conducted an LMO test this year on zucchini pumpkin seeds that are being applied for new variety registration in Korea.
As a result, the zucchini pumpkin seeds newly developed and applied for by domestic company A were judged to be LMO, and it was found that the seeds were bred using seeds sold by company B.
Accordingly, the National Seed Resources conducted an LMO test on all zucchini pumpkin seeds (121 species) and zucchini seeds (126 species), and as a result, two zucchini pumpkin seeds of company B were identified as LMO.
The two LMO seeds were found to have been distributed from 2015 until recently, as company B imported seeds approved in the United States, bred them without going through domestic quarantine procedures, and sold them.
