Authorities are urging caution after businesses were caught selling agricultural and forestry products banned for consumption, marketing them as health-beneficial teas.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced on June 3 that inspections of 402 online and offline retailers of agricultural and forestry products, conducted from May 9 to 13, uncovered two businesses selling non-edible agricultural and forestry products as food items.
The two businesses were found advertising and selling Selaginella tamariscina (known as gwonbaek) and greater celandine (known as baekgulchae) — both toxic and banned for consumption — in the form of "health tea." The MFDS requested that online sales sites be blocked and referred the cases to local governments for prosecution to prevent further consumer harm.
Selaginella tamariscina is characterized by its fist-like shape when dried, measuring approximately 3 to 10 centimeters in length, and having no odor. The plant requires caution as it may trigger allergic reactions.
In addition, the MFDS said it will conduct inspections from June 6 to 10, in cooperation with local governments, testing 340 items of dual-use agricultural and forestry products — those used both as food and as herbal medicine ingredients — such as schisandra berries and goji berries. The tests will check for pesticide residues, heavy metals and sulfur dioxide to verify safety.
