[Updated] South Korea Food Code Revision in 2023: Collection and Interpretation

Effective on Jan. 1, 2023 (modified on Mar. 31, 2022)

MFDS Notification No. 2022-25

The terminology of “sell-by date(유통기한)” is modified as “use-by date (소비기한)" in this version following the amendments in Food Labeling Standard.

Effective on Jan. 1, 2023 (modified on Apr. 20, 2022)

MFDS Notification No. 2022-31

The terminology of “sell-by date(유통기한)” is modified as “use-by date (소비기한)" in this version following the modifications in Food, Food Additives, Livestock Product and Health Functional Food Use-by Date Determination Standard.

Feb. 17, 2023

MFDS Notification No. 2023-13

(1) Modifying the preservation and distribution standards

• When Home Meal Replacement (HMR) Food, Home Meal Replacement (HMR) Food containing meat, Ready-to-eat Food, and Dietary Management Foods contain frozen materials, the products are allowed to be preserved and distributed in the frozen state. 

• Refrigerated meats are permitted to be temporary frozen if they are shredded or sliced.

• Expand the scope of frozen foods that can be thawed and distributed.

(2) Modifying the definitions of food types

• The forms of nutritional formulas, including liquids, gels, powders, and granules, are deleted to remove the form restrictions and allow enterprises to develop nutritional formulas in various forms.

• Meat Meal Kits are permitted to be manufactured without natural materials. 

(1) Optimization of Pesticides MRL Lists

(2) Modifications for Veterinary Drugs

(3) Amendments to Test Methods

(Find more details in ChemLinked News: South Korea Updates Food Code, Focusing on MRLs Requirements)

MFDS issued two exposure drafts of the Food Code, seeking public feedback. The consultation periods for both drafts are scheduled to conclude on September 18, 2023.

The proposed amendments encompass: alterations to the food raw material lists; revisions to MRLs of pesticides and veterinary drugs; enhanced inspection processes for edible raw eggs; exemptions for sterilization and disinfection procedures for powder-formed FSMP; and changes to mycotoxin standards for processed foods produced entirely from corn and sorghum. More detail here. 

The amendments mainly include updating pesticide residue requirements and introducing meat alternatives and new Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP). Establishing new standards for meat alternative products indicates that this product is no longer a market concept and should comply with the mandatory standards before being put into the market. Check the detailed specifications here at ChemLinked News: South Korea Issues the Meat Alternative and FSMP Standards in Food Code

The amendments mainly include:

• Addition of 105 internationally safe-confirmed fishery and agricultural products to the food materials list

• Revisions to MRLs of 114 pesticides and veterinary drugs; 

• Exemptions for sterilization and disinfection procedures for powder-formed FSMP. 

Check the detailed specifications here at ChemLinked News: South Korea to Revise Food Code: Food Materials and Maximum Residual Limits 

Proposed amendments

• Establishing standards and specifications for “nutritional supplements for patients with respiratory diseases”, allowing various food products to be supplied to patients;

• Revising the criteria for the use of Garcinia Cambogia extract in food from “less than 5% usage, not exceeding a consumption amount of 6g” to “less than 2% usage, not exceeding a consumption amount of 2.5g.”;

• Revising the residue tolerance standards for four pesticides.

Suggestions are welcome before February 26, 2024. 

Proposed amendments:

• Establishing and revising residual limits for pesticides and veterinary drugs in food;

• Relaxing the criteria for ambient and refrigerated sauces that are frozen together with foods for auxiliary purposes;

• Allowing oak chip to be used as flavoring agents in soy sauce and sauce production, etc.

Suggestions are welcome before February 26, 2024.