The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Monday that they have inspected the sorting and packaging facilities for fresh eggs imported from the U.S. at Deobul Well Company in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. This inspection covered the entire process, including washing, sorting, and packaging, in preparation for a potential shortage in domestic supply due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).
While the current egg supply remains relatively stable, the ministries acknowledged that supply instability could occur if highly pathogenic AI outbreaks continue at layer farms. The inspection was attended by Shin Young-min, head of the Daejeon Regional Food and Drug Administration, and Park Jeong-hoon, head of the Food Policy Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
To ensure a stable supply chain for fresh eggs and minimize potential issues during future imports, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to import 2.24 million eggs through the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT). The first shipment of 1.12 million eggs arrived on January 23, with the remainder expected by the end of the month.
The imported U.S. eggs are expected to be distributed to retailers and food service providers as early as January 30, pending successful domestic quarantine and safety inspections.
The Food and Drug Safety Ministry plans to expedite customs clearance by conducting rapid on-site inspections and sample collections. They will also perform thorough checks for veterinary drugs, salmonella, and proper labeling, including production dates, to ensure the safety of imported eggs.
The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency will inspect shipping containers for damage and conduct epidemiological investigations to prevent the entry of foreign animal diseases. They plan to carry out physical inspections, egg breaking tests, and monitoring for livestock diseases to verify product quality and safety.
Shin Young-min, head of the Daejeon Regional Food and Drug Administration, stated that it will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that only eggs passing swift and stringent inspections reach American consumers’ tables, in full compliance with regulations.
Park Jeong-hoon, head of the Food Policy Division, emphasized that the government will continue supporting egg price stabilization through measures such as subsidizing delivery costs and offering discounts on agricultural products. If the egg supply becomes unstable due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, it will consider additional measures, including importing fresh eggs, to alleviate the impact of egg prices on consumers’ daily lives.