By Soh Ji-young
Staff Reporter

As the ``spoiled dumpling’’ scandal continues to send shockwaves throughout the nation, authorities have come under harsh criticism for their failure to safeguard public health.

``How can we trust the safety of our food now?’’ asked an Internet user using the name ``Rage and Betrayal’’ on the homepage of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).

``The fact that such rotten food was circulated testifies that the nation’s food safety network is in tatters, throwing the public to the brink of a health crisis,’’ the Internet user said.

Although dumpling manufacturers insist their products are safe for consumption and the KFDA has pledged to recall and dispose of all low-quality dumplings currently circulating in the local market, consumers still harbor deep mistrust.

The volume of dumplings sales plummeted by as much as 90 percent in the wake of the scandal, forcing major department stores and discount chains to remove dumpling products from sale.

``We’ve decided to suspend all sales of dumpling products until the KFDA releases the list of companies found to have used the spoiled stuffing,’’ said an official at E-mart, one of the largest discount store chains in South Korea.

On Sunday, several food subcontractors were found to have supplied 25 food companies with massive amounts of dumpling filling containing scraps of spoiled pickled radish, which were supposed to be thrown away.

Big-name companies such as Shany, Sam Lip General Foods, Chewyoungroo and Chunil Foods are reportedly included among the 25.

Public outcry has escalated after CJ, one of the nation’s biggest food companies, was found yesterday to have been supplied with dumplings suspected of containing spoiled radish.

CJ officials admitted to having sold dumpling products processed with substandard dumpling fillings supplied by one of the subcontractors from August to December of 1999.

But he said CJ switched to another supplier after discovering problems in the quality of the pickled radish.

So far, not one company has come forward and acknowledged their responsibility for the spoiled dumplings, infuriating consumers who are calling for an apology and the complete withdrawal of all tainted food.

Consumers have also vented their anger at authorities for jeopardizing their health by keeping them in the dark about the circulation of massive volumes of the low-quality dumplings.

Although the National Police Agency (NPA) launched an investigation into the dumpling case as early as February, it chose to keep it under wraps for months in order to capture the key offender behind the case, a 61-year-old food manufacturer by the last name of Lee. He is still evading capture by the police.

The KFDA also handed down punitive measures against the food companies for irregularities in early May, but did not consider recalling any products from the market.

Belatedly, the KFDA plans to announce the details of its investigations into the case today and disclose the names of the 25 brands that have handled spoiled dumplings.

Unfortunately, the dumpling scandal is just one indicator that highlights the urgent need for major overhauls in the nation’s management of food safety.

Civic groups and experts pointed out that the relatively light punishments of violators of food safety regulations are the main problem.

The KFDA recently pledged to get tougher with those who manufacture or circulate food products harmful to consumers, but many are calling for radical changes in the food safety system.

According to the KFDA, 4,891 cases of violations of food safety laws were reported last year, with 276 violators subject to criminal punishment. 1,281 violators had their license revoked or were ordered to close down their business.

But manufacturers were easily able to reopen their businesses after a few months, with some being able to continue operations by paying light fines instead.

To ease anxiety among the public, the National Police Agency yesterday initiated a special one-month crackdown against manufacturers producing or distributing substandard food products.

jysoh@koreatimes.co.kr