Social Reform Committee and government to work together on consumer food safety

Fruit on display at a shop in Yeongcheon Market in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]
Fruit on display at a shop in Yeongcheon Market in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]

The Social Reform Committee under the prime minister's office announced Tuesday that it will launch a public-private consultative body on imported agricultural produce management by the end of this month, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Customs Service.

The launch is part of an emergency action plan the committee unveiled at a public briefing in March, aimed at managing imported farm produce from the perspective of domestic producers and consumers and improving related regulations.

The committee plans to form a working-level task force to finalize the body's membership, functions and agenda.

"We expect the consultative body to help ease the impact of low-priced imported agricultural products on domestic farm prices, while also contributing to stronger food safety for consumers," committee chair Park Seok-woon said.


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