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[Updated] Imported Foods Subject to Inspection Order in South Korea

South Korea may order an importer to undergo inspection by a designated inspection agency before import declaration if the imported food products have a history of non-compliance or a high level of hazard.

To enhance the safety of imported food and reinforce the responsibility of importers, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) may order an importer to undergo inspection by a designated inspection agency if the imported food falls under any of the following categories, as outlined in Article 22 of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control. Importers may only proceed with the import declaration after passing the inspection. 

  • Imported food products containing hazardous substances as determined by the MFDS

  • Imported food products that repeatedly show non-compliance as a result of import inspection

  • Other imported foods that pose a risk of harm domestically or internationally 

An inspection order typically remains in effect for a specified duration. Before the inspection order period ends, the MFDS will review and analyze the inspection results. Based on the occurrence of nonconformities, the MFDS may lift, partially lift, or redesignate the inspection order. More details about compliance with inspection orders can be referenced in the Regulations on Inspection Orders for Imported Foods

In this article, ChemLinked updates the current status of imported foods subject to inspection orders. Stakeholders are advised to pay close attention to inspection orders to ensure compliance during inspections.

Updates on April 9, 2025

The MFDS announced the redesignation of certain imported foods to the inspection order due to repeated occurrences of non-compliance. The details are highlighted in red. 

Period

Imported Foods

Exporting Country

Inspection Items

2016.02.29

~

2026.02.28

Natural spice (powder products)

India

Metallic foreign bodies

2018.10.22

~

2025.10.21

Berry (blueberry, lingonberry, bilberry), and jam and processed fruit products manufactured with the above berries

Poland, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Austria, Sweden

Radioactivity

 (Iodine, Cesium)

2019.04.23

~

2026.04.22

Sarcodon aspratus mushroom

Russia, Ukraine

Radioactivity

 (Iodine, Cesium)

2020.06.25

~

2025.06.24

Basil (leaf)

Thailand

Pesticides (Dimetomorph)

2020.10.22

~

2025.10.21

Powder natural spice

China (2 manufacturers)

Metallic foreign bodies

2021.03.31

~

2026.03.30

Tuna (fishery products to be eaten raw)

Japan (exporting country)

Salmonella

2021.10.22

~

2025.10.21

Snack foods (limited to sealed products, except for fermented products or products containing lactic acid bacteria)

Indi(4 manufacturers)

Bacteria number

2022.03.31

~

2026.03.30

Other Salt

Pakistan

Insoluble powder

2022.06.27

~

2025.06.26

Frozen confectioneries 

Thailand (2 manufacturers)

Coliform

2022.09.30

~

2025.09.29

Health Functional Food using Probiotics as functional ingredients 

U.S., Canada (2 manufacturers) 

Probiotics number

2022.12.24

~

2025.12.23

Dried wood ears

(Fruiting body)

China

Pesticide

(Carbendazim)

2023.03.31

~

2026.03.30

Chilli peppers (fruits)

Vietnam

Pesticides

(Diniconazole, Tolfenpyrad, Tricyclazole, Permetrin, Dimethoate, Isoprothiolane, Metominostrobin, Monocrotophos)

2023.06.30

~

2025.6.29

Solid tea

China

Pesticides

(Pyridaben, Dinotefuran, 

Othophenylphenol, Prochloraz)

2023.09.27

~

2025.09.26

Snack foods (limited to foods processed with oil treatement)

Indonesia (3 manufacturers)

Acid value

2024.03.29

~

2026.03.28

Processed vegetables

(unsterilized product)

China (2 manufacturers)

Coliform

2024.06.28

~

2025.6.27

BreadChina (7 manufacturers)Preservatives
2024.09.30

~

2025.09.29.

Pickles

(excluding products that have been sealed and subjected to heat sterilization or pasteurization)

Vietnam (7 manufacturers)Tar colorants
2024.12.30

2025.12.29

Frozen yellow croakerChinaEthoxyquin

2025.3.31

~

2026.3.30

Reishi MushroomChina

Pesticides

(Malathion, Cypermethrin, Cyhalothrin, Acetamiprid, Acetochlor, Imidacloprid, Iprodione, Carbendazim, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorpyrifos, Triazophos, Trifloxystrobin, Fenpropathrin, Phorate, Prochloraz)

Data source 

MFDS Announcement (2022.9.30) , MFDS Announcement (2022.10.7)MFDS Announcement (2022.11.3)MFDS Announcement (2022.12.5)MFDS Announcement (2022.12.12)MFDS Announcement (2023.2.9)MFDS Announcement (2023.3.3), MFDS Announcement (2023.3.14)MFDS Announcement(2023.4.7) , MFDS Announcement (2023.6.20)MFDS Announcement (2023.6.28)MFDS Announcement (2023.8.30)MFDS Announcement (2023.9.20), MFDS AnnouncementMFDS Announcement,  MFDS AnnouncementMFDS Announcement (2023. 12. 11), MFDS Announcement (2024.2.20)MFDS Announcement (2024. 3.13)MFDS Announcement (2024.4.12)MFDS Announcement (2024.6.13) (2024.6.13), MFDS Announcement (2024.9.12)MFDS Announcement (2024.10.15)MFDS Announcement (2024.12.16)MFDS Announcement (2025.02.12), MFDS Announcement (2025.03.21), MFDS Announcement (2025.04.09)

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