1. Definition
The term "dairy products (유가공품류)" refers to milk, processed milk, goat's milk, fermented milk, buttermilk, concentrated milk, milk cream, butter, cheese, milk powder, whey, lactose, hydrolyzed milk protein foods, and milk-containing products which are processed using raw milk as the main ingredient. However, products containing more than 0.5% coffee solids are not included in the dairy product scope.
Additionally, all dairy products, except for milk-containing products, belong to the livestock product category.
2. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibility |
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, formerly known as the Korea Food & Drug Administration or KFDA) | Law Making New ingredient and standard registration Business registration |
3. Market access approval
3.1 Essential prerequisite for import
Only the dairy products that meet corresponding standards in Food Code can be exported to South Korea.
3.2 Business Registration
Overseas companies intending to sell products to South Korea shall register the import business with MFDS or appoint an agent to conduct the business registration.
The import business registrations include four types:
1. Business of importing and selling imported food, etc. (referring to the business of importing and selling imported food, etc.);
2. Business of filing import declarations of imported food, etc. by proxy;
3. Business of online purchasing of imported food, etc. by proxy;
4. Business of storing imported food, etc.
3.3 Foreign Food Facility Registration
As stipulated in the Imported Food Act, foreign food facility registration (해외제조업소 등록) is mandatory for all imported food products. Business entities shall apply for foreign food facility registration to MFDS before exporting.
3.4 Import Declaration
The business entity shall file an import declaration of the relevant foods with the MFDS. The ingredient information needs to be filed in the import declaration application letter.
The submission dossier for import declaration includes an application letter along with the following:
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3.5 Import Inspection
The imported foods whose import declaration has been filed, are subject to necessary inspections before customs clearance formalities for the products. MFDS adopts four types of imported inspections: document inspection, on-site inspection (sensory test), thorough inspection (strictest inspection), and random sampling inspection. Foods imported to South Korea for the first time, must undergo a thorough inspection.
4. Product Compliance
4.1 Product requirements
Raw materials in dairy products can be:
No. | Category | Note |
1 | Main materials: milk and goat milk | Shall comply with Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act |
2 | Other general food materials | Shall comply with Food Code |
3 | Food additives | Shall comply with Food Additive Code |
Note, that the specifications and standards for milk products, processed milk, goat's milk, fermented milk, buttermilk, concentrated milk, milk cream, butter, cheese, milk powder, whey, lactose, hydrolyzed milk protein foods, and milk-containing products are listed under the Article 19 Milk Products of Chapter 5 under Food Code. Enterprises can refer to the provisions for the requirements of acidity, milk fat, bacterial count, hygienic indicator bacteria, and other items to keep products compliant.
4.2 Label
With reference to the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, the product name, contents, ingredients, registered business entity’s name and address, precautions, expiration date, and other items should be marked on the product package in Korean. Enterprises can put a sticker/label/tag on imported foods. The sticker should not be peeled off easily.
To be noticed, if the dairy products are made from unpasteurized raw milk, the name of the raw material shall be labeled as "unpasteurized raw milk (비살균 원유)". Additionally, fortified milk shall be labeled with the name and content of the fortified ingredients. In the case of products added with lactic acid bacteria, the number of the bacteria should be indicated along with the bacteria name for enterprises intending to claim the product contains specific bacteria species. For example, "Lactobacillus acidophilus 100 million CFU/g (Lactobacillus acidophilus 1억 CFU/g)", etc. For more detailed requirements related to South Korea food labeling, please refer to Food Labeling Standards.
Regardless of food categories, the label and advertisement shall not involve any information implying the food is a drug, or a non-health functional food is a health functional food. Fraudulent labelling, morally wrong labels, labels that compare the product with other company’s products, and labelling a food as the product is not a food (e.g., cosmetic) are prohibited as specified in the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods.
* Global Food Compliance Service
We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.
Covered Countries
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.
Our Services
Food Ingredient Review
Label Review
Product Registration
Regulatory Consultation
Monitoring, Training and customized report
Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.
