Korea Labels American Imports
SOUTH KOREA - After lifting restrictions on American beef, the South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, has announced that the government will enforce accurate place-of-origin labels on all imported meat.
28 April 2008
1 minute read
According to the Korean Times, the President made the pledge while meeting with a group of cattle farmers in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, over the weekend.
Lee has been facing heat from Korean cattle farmers for his agreement earlier this month with the United States to resume U.S. beef imports.
Imported U.S. beef cuts are generally cheaper than Korean beef but many domestic consumers continue to favor beef from homegrown cattle, called ``hanwoo," because it isn't at risk of mad cow disease. Many consumers also favor Korean beef because of its distinct flavor and texture often not found in the American beef.
In the past, some Korean restaurants and butchers were reported to have exploited this consumer preference, disguising cheaper imported U.S. beef as Korean beef and selling it at a higher price. President Lee told cattle growers that "simply enforcing accurate place-of-origin labeling on imported beef at restaurants and meat markets would boost Korean beef sales."
TheCattleSite News Desk
