South Korea busts firms for falsely selling processed tomatoes as fresh produce

South Korea's food safety watchdog has cracked down on companies misleading consumers with "stevia tomatoes." The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) uncovered 15 businesses that marketed processed stevia-infused tomatoes as fresh agricultural products. This deceptive practice aimed to capitalize on the popularity of the sweet fruit.

Beyond misleading labels, the investigation also revealed significant hygiene violations at three manufacturing facilities. Some of these facilities were found to have E. coli levels exceeding regulatory limits, posing a potential health risk. The MFDS has initiated administrative actions and filed criminal complaints against the offending businesses.

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The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on 15 companies that advertised processed stevia tomatoes as general agricultural products and three manufacturers that violated hygiene management standards.

The agency is now urging consumers to be vigilant. Shoppers are advised to carefully examine product packaging for accurate labeling and to check expiration dates before purchasing or consuming stevia tomato products. This enforcement action highlights the MFDS's commitment to ensuring food safety and preventing consumer fraud in the market.

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Some products detected E. coli exceeding the standard levels.