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Agricultural industry

New Study Reveals Food Safety Risks in Imported Agricultural Products in South Korea

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research from Dankook University has published a study on food safety in imported agricultural products in South Korea, highlighting concerns over international trade and the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The study develops two indices, the Agricultural Product Safety Index (APSI) and the Imported Food Safety Index (IFSI), to assess food safety risks across major exporting countries. The indices integrate production and distribution risk indicators, demonstrating that Australia consistently demonstrates the highest food safety level. The study emphasizes the need for evidence-based policy instruments to enhance food safety governance in global supply chains.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identifies concerns over the safety of imported agricultural products in South Korea due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and radiation contamination risks.
  • The Agricultural Product Safety Index (APSI) and the Imported Food Safety Index (IFSI) are developed to quantitatively assess food safety risks across major exporting countries.
  • The indices integrate production and distribution risk indicators based on publicly available data and adhere to five key principles: applicability, reliability, boundedness, independence, and representativeness.
  • Empirical results from 2014 to 2021 indicate that Australia consistently demonstrates the highest food safety level.
  • The United States, Argentina, Ukraine, and Brazil follow closely in the rankings.
  • The indices provide a structured and transparent framework for monitoring import-related safety but have a limited scope, excluding biological hazards due to data limitations.
  • Future research should expand the geographical coverage and incorporate empirical validation techniques.
  • The study emphasizes the need for evidence-based policy instruments to enhance food safety governance in global supply chains.
  • The research involved a team from Dankook University, led by Da-Eun Jung and Sung-Bum Yang.

Statistics:

  • 2014-2021: Empirical results cover a period of eight years.
  • Australia: Consistently exhibits the highest food safety level.
  • United States, Argentina, Ukraine, and Brazil: Rank closely after Australia in terms of food safety.
  • Data limitations: The indices exclude biological hazards due to data constraints.
  • Scope: The indices are limited to selected countries and provide a structured and transparent framework for monitoring import-related safety.
  • Future research: Should expand geographical coverage and incorporate empirical validation techniques.

Sources:

  • Development and Application of the Agricultural Product Safety Index in Major Countries and Imported Food Safety Index for Korea (Journal article, Foods, 2025).
  • MDPI AG (Publisher, Foods journal).
  • Da-Eun Jung (Corresponding author, Department of Food and Resource Economics, Dankook University).
  • Sung-Bum Yang (Additional author, Department of Food and Resource Economics, Dankook University).

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