Korea Proposes Food Codex Revision

On Apr. 4, 2018, Korea MFDS issued announcements No. 2018-139 and 140 detailing the proposed revision of its National Food Codex. Revision of standards concerning food raw materials, pesticide residues and microbial indicators are highlights in the latest revision.

Here are major regulatory changes announced in those two announcements.

Food raw materials

• Classification of food raw materials will be revised, and catalogue for new food raw materials will be newly added.

Microorganism standard

• The application scope of microorganism standard is clarified in the updated version

• The general standard of bacteria in food is formulated for sterilized products.

• Bacterial count standard is newly set up for complementary baby food (sterilized).

Maximum residue limits

• Maximum residue limits (MRLs) of pesticides have been revised or added for agriculture products, livestock products and aquatic products.

Mycotoxin standard

• The application scope of aflatoxin amount and aflatoxin B1 standard has expanded to plant raw materials and all processed food.

• The limit level of ochratoxin A is newly set in pepper, turmeric, nutmeg and seasoning containing nutmeg.

Others

• The production standard and total acid standard of confectionary are added

Please feel free to contact Chemlinked if you need the English translation of the announcement.