Eleven companies and seventeen individuals, including their CEO, have been charged with violating food safety laws for selling fake red pepper powder mixed with low-priced Chinese tea. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported that these companies sold around 841 tons of this counterfeit product, valued at approximately 10.3 billion won. Company A, the main culprit, used undeclared Chinese dried peppers with illegal pesticide levels and falsely labeled them as '100% dried red pepper.' Despite being under investigation, Company A tried to reuse 1.4 tons of chili peppers that were ordered to be destroyed. The Ministry is dedicated to preventing such fraud and ensuring food safety.