#701, Seoul YWCA, 1-1, Myeongdong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul  (Postal code: 100-021)

Report Data

Implementation Date:	August 17, 2010
Person in Charge:	Secretary-General Choi Su-gyeong
	Assistant Administrator Um Yun-hui
Tel:	02-770-4060

Cautions consumers to check the expiration date and preservation standards before purchase.

The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations (Chairperson Kim Jae-ok) analyzed 1,344 cases of counseling related to expired or spoiled foods, which have been received through 194 consumer counseling centers of 10 consumer organizations during the first half of 2010 (Jan-Jul).

Counseling cases related to spoiled foods were 99 in May, 137 in June, and 200 in July, showing a rapid increase. In particular, counseling cases related to milk (40 cases) and bread (20 cases) increased in July. Counseling cases related to expired foods were in a descending order of snacks (45 cases), milk (41 cases), bread (37 cases), instant noodle (28 cases), and chocolate (17 cases).

The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations reported cautions for consumers regarding the following: ① When purchasing food, consumers should check the expiration date and the preservation standards; ② Consumers should not keep foods at room temperature for a long time and should keep food according to food indications (preservation standards); and ③ Consumers should avoid second contamination (stomachache, stomach flu, hives, etc.) by throwing away food with the possibility of spoilage or deterioration.

□ Consumer counseling cases related to food deterioration, expired date were 100 in January, 183 in February, 144 in March, 201 in April, 195 in May, 230 in June, and 291 in July, showing a decrease in March but a gradual increase in all other months. In particular, counseling cases related to food deterioration were 99 in May, 137 in June, and 200 in July, showing a drastic increase. [Refer to Appendix]

□ Counseling cases related to food spoilage were milk (87 cases), bread (59 cases), rice (31 cases), and egg (17 cases). In particular, counseling related to milk (40 cases) and bread (20 cases) increased in July. [Refer to Appendix]

□ Counseling cases related to abnormal symptoms after eating foods were 75 in May, 79 in June, and 106 in July, showing an increase in summer. In particular, cases related to stomachache and stomach flu were 60 in July. [Refer to Appendix]

□ Complaints related to food deterioration and abnormal symptoms.

ㅇ Counseling: On July 5, I purchased bread from a mart (The expiration date on the bread was July 14). My baby ate the bread on the same day, but there was fungus on the bread. The next day, which was July 6, when I called the manufacturer, they told me I should go to a hospital and did not take proper action regarding my complaint.

ㅇ Processing: On July 7, a person in charge of the manufacturer told me that air might have gotten in the bread in the process of baking and might have developed fungus on the bottom of the bread. He promised me to inform me of the results after an investigation. On July 14, I gave the bread to an officer of my district office who was in charge of sanitation. On July 21, I was notified by the Sanitation department of my district that they took administrative measures against the manufacturer in accordance with the Food Sanitation Act.

ㅇ Counseling: After I bought bread, I ate some and noticed there were green and white fungi on the bread. I called the manufacturer to complain, and they told me that they would send me new bread but then later they changed their mind and told me that if I give them my bank account number, they would deposit 20,000won. Instead of apologizing to me, they treated me as if I wanted money, so I got so angry. Then they told me I should talk to the store instead, avoiding their responsibility. Please investigate the cause of the incident and take appropriate actions for consumers.

ㅇ Processing: The complained consumer received a refund in accordance with the Standard of Settlement for Consumer Conflicts. We have received a statement from the manufacturer that they would check the incident and manage strict sanitation in order to prevent consumer complaints.

□ Consumer counseling cases related to expired foods were in a descending order of snacks (45 cases), milk (41 cases), bread (37 cases), instant noodle (28 cases), and chocolate (17 cases). [Refer to Appendix]

□ Complaints related to expired foods.

ㅇ Counseling: On May 24, I bought sausages from a supermarket. I ate them with my wife, but we had a stomachache. We saw that the expiration date was May 7.

ㅇ Processing: The consumer exchanged with new sausages with the Standard of Settlement for Consumer Conflicts, and we explained to the consumer about the Standard of Settlement for Consumer Conflicts.

ㅇ Counseling: I bought a beverage from a mart. When I drank it, the drink smelled strange. I looked at the expiration date, and it was already past. I went to the mart and complained, but they told me that there is no problem with the drink.

ㅇ Processing: We reported this incident to concerned district where the business was located. We got a reply from the Sanitation Department of the district that they had investigated the mart and decided to fine them.

□ The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations reports the following consumer warnings regarding consumer damage cases:

ㅇ When purchasing foods, consumers should check the expiration date and preservation standards.

ㅇ Consumers should eat purchased food as soon as possible. When keeping food, consumers should not keep food at room temperature for long periods and should keep food according to the food indications (preservation standards).

ㅇ Consumers should avoid second contamination (stomachache, stomach flu, hives, etc.) by throwing away expired food or food with the possibility of spoilage or deterioration by leaving them at room temperature too long.

Group Member

Green Consumers Network, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs, Citizens Alliance for Consumer Protection of Korea, National Council of Housewives Classes, Korea Women's Association, Korea Consumer Affairs Institute, Korea Consumer Education Center, Consumers Union of Korea, National Council of YMCAs of Korea, YWCA of Korea

□ Appendix: Consumer complaint counseling cases related to spoiled and expired foods

[Figure] Consumer counseling cases regarding food spoilage and expired foods

[Table] Monthly consumer counseling cases regarding food spoilage

Classification of Food	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Total
Milk	4	3	8	7	6	19	40	87
Bread	2	5	3	3	10	16	20	59
Rice	1	4	0	0	6	7	13	31
Egg	0	0	1	2	1	4	9	17

[Table] Monthly consumer counseling cases regarding abnormal symptoms

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Total
Stomach ache/ Stomach flu	25	28	18	21	25	39	60	216
Tooth damage	17	17	16	15	20	18	27	130
Food poisoning	9	17	12	4	22	18	11	93
Vomit/Hives /Allergy/ fire burns	4	5	2	6	8	4	8	37

[Table] Monthly consumer counseling cases regarding expired foods

Classification of Food	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Total
Snack	0	13	5	10	5	6	6	45
Milk	6	7	1	3	6	6	12	41
Bread	0	9	2	4	9	7	6	37
Instant Noodle	3	1	4	6	8	4	2	28
Chocolate	2	5	4	0	2	3	1	17