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Amid widespread fear of melamine-tainted foods made with Chinese dairy products, the Korea Food and Drug Administration decided to step up inspection of such foods in customs.
Snacks newly found to be tainted with melamine were Haitai Confectionery's Misarang Coconut expiring Dec. 1, 2008, and Misarang Custard expiring Sept. 24, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2008.
The Grand National Party and the government agreed to release a policy dubbed "food safety + 7," whereby they pledge to immediately issue warnings for consumers the moment they obtain information on harmful food substances.
A two-strikes-and-you¡¯re-out policy will mean business licenses will be withdrawn if any firm continues making such foods after being caught. Punishment for food makers will be increased to a penalty of 10 times the profits earned from sales of harmful foods.
Inspection will be increased from 20 to 30 percent of imported food, and will be especially stringent for food from countries with a history of such scandals.
Under the new policy, importers will have to mark country of origin for imported or semi-processed foods manufactured abroad by so-called original equipment manufacturers.
Lawmaker Ahn Hong-joon, chairman of the GNP food safety committee said the party will ensure that during its ongoing regular session, the National Assembly launches an ad hoc committee on food safety.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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