South Korea Amends Standards and Specifications for Foods

On 11 Jun 2015, MFDS released new amendments to Standards and Specifications for Foods. Based on the proposal published in January of this year (See ChemLinked News 6 Mar 2015), the final amendments further added several rules regarding food safety. Detailed final Amendments:

1. The application scope of deep sea water used for food processing has been expanded. Deep sea water, concentrated deep sea water, mineral-enriched desalinated deep sea water, and mineral-enriched deep sea water have been approved to be used in food production.

2. The maximum residue limit for 6-BA (6-Benzyl aminopurine, Benzyladenine) in soybean sprouts have been established. The safety management of registered pesticides for soybean sprouts has been strengthened.

3. Coriandri Fructus has been excluded from the list of herbal medicines in common use for food and medicine.

4. Pesticide residues in agricultural products have been revised and newly added. For pesticides registered under the “Pesticide Management Act”, scopes of application have been enlarged. Residue limits for a total of 42 pesticides have been either revised or added.

5. The maximum residue limits for 20 veterinary drugs including roxithromycin have also been established.

6. Saccharin sodium is added to the approved list of artificial sweeteners for confectionery, bread and pastry products.

7. General experimental methods have been revised. Analytical methods for newly added pesticides and veterinary drugs have been set. These include 3 pesticides in agricultural products, phorate in livestock products and 20 veterinary drugs.