Entrance claims '100% domestic' goat, but Australian meat found inside: 10 businesses caught violating origin labels

Seoul's consumer protection division has uncovered 10 businesses violating origin labeling laws for black goat meat, a popular summer health food. The crackdown, conducted from June 15 to July 3, targeted 132 restaurants and meat sellers, resulting in four cases of misleading origin labels and five cases of no labeling.

One notable violation involved a restaurant that prominently advertised "100% domestic black goat" at its entrance but secretly mixed in Australian goat meat. Another establishment listed both Australian and domestic sources on its menu but exclusively used cheaper Australian meat for its black goat soup.

Goat meat consumption is surging in South Korea, partly due to a ban on dog meat for food products starting next February. Domestic consumption of goat meat has nearly doubled from 6,600 tons in 2021 to an estimated 13,000 tons in 2024. Over the same period, imports have more than tripled, rising from 1,883 tons to 8,143 tons.

Seoul authorities focused their checks on potential violations involving imported goat meat. The investigation involved collaboration with the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service. Genetic testing confirmed that all 21 samples labeled as domestic were indeed from locally raised black goats.

Businesses found to have falsely or misleadingly labeled the origin of their products will be referred to prosecutors, facing potential prison sentences of up to seven years or fines of up to 100 million won. Those with no origin labels will be fined up to 10 million won.