Seoul government develops kit to detect dog meat fraud

Social Affairs

Seoul government develops kit to detect dog meat fraud

Published: 14 Aug. 2024, 20:14

SEO JI-EUN
seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr

A researcher works on identifying dog species. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Institute of Health and Environment has developed a new kit that can detect if dog meat is being fraudulently sold as beef or pork by dog breeding farms and restaurants.

It said Wednesday that it has created the dog species identification kit using real-time PCR, marking the first such initiative by a local government in Korea.

The new kit operates by amplifying genes specific to dog DNA, making it possible to identify cases where dog meat is being disguised as other types of meat. The institute tested the kit on samples from six different species, including dogs, cats, cows, pigs, chickens and ducks, confirming that the genetic amplification occurred only in the dog sample.

Korea enforced a special act banning the consumption of dogs on Aug. 7, which prohibits the breeding, distribution and slaughter of dogs for food purposes, as well as the sale of products made from dog meat.

Under the enforcement decree of the special act, the government will provide support for dog breeding farms that go out of business, including money to facilitate the closure of facilities and maintain residual value, as well as for demolition costs. Penalties will be applied from February 2027.

As part of the law's implementation, all businesses involved in the current dog meat trade, including slaughterhouses and distributors, are required to report their operations. So far, 479 registered distributors and food service providers have submitted plans to leave the industry, which include details for either closing or transitioning their businesses.

The city of Seoul plans to regularly monitor these businesses to ensure compliance with the law.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]