Updates:
The Food Additive Code (MFDS Notice No. 2023-29) came into effect on April 28, 2023.
On January 30, 2023, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) disclosed the exposure draft of Food Additive Code1. To align with international standards, three new food additives for health functional food and six flavour enhancers are to be specified as noticed food additives in South Korea. The consultation period is set to end on March 30, 2023.
The main amendments in the draft for comments are:
1. Six flavour enhancers are to be inserted
MFSD published "one-hundred innovation projects" last year, one of which is the food ingredient development support. The authority devised a plan to permit 17 food additives that have been internationally confirmed as safe, aiming to help enterprises ease the pressure on new additive applications.
The first batch of six additives includes:
English | Korean | Notes |
5'-Guanylic acid | 5‘-구아닐산 | INS No.: 626; CAS No.: 85-32-5 |
Dipotassium 5'-Guanylate | 5'-구아닐산칼륨 | INS No.: 628; CAS No.: 3254-39-5 |
Calcium 5'-Guanylate | 5'-구아닐산칼슘 | INS No.: 629 CAS No.: 38966-30-2 |
5'-Inosinic acid | 5'-이노신산 | INS No.: 630 CAS No.: 131-99-7 |
Dipotassium 5'-Inosinate | 5'-이노신산칼륨 | INS No.: 632 CAS No.: 20262-26-4 |
Calcium 5'-Inosinate | 5'-이노신산칼슘 | INS No.: 633 CAS No.: 38966-29-9 |
The above six additives are used as flavour enhancers. Their specifications and usage standards are introduced as well.
2. Three food additives for health functional food are to be permitted
Three food additives widely used in the EU and many other countries, are to be allowed for health functional food in South Korea, by which it is expected to solve the problems caused by different standards among nations regarding products import and export.
Food Additive | Usage Standard | Main Usage purpose |
Copper Chlorophyll (동클로로필) | In health functional food (limited to tablet coatings and capsules): less than 0.1g/kg (The usage amount of the colour shall be calculated by the amount of the tablet or capsule) | Colour |
Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin (동클로로필린나트륨) | In health functional food (limited to tablet coatings and capsules): less than 0.1g/kg (The usage amount of the colour shall be calculated by the amount of the tablet or capsule) | Colour |
Potassium Copper Chlorophyllin (동클로로필린칼륨) | In health functional food (limited to tablet coatings and capsules): less than 0.1g/kg (The usage amount of the colour shall be calculated by the amount of the tablet or capsule) | Colour |
As these additives can help block light, they can be used to manufacture products that easily oxidise due to sunlight, such as vitamins and Coenzyme Q10.
3. Other amendments are proposed
(1) Acetylated oxidized starch (아세틸산화전분) is to be specified as a component to manufacture Food Starch Modified.
(2) The usage standards of eight food additives, including Calcium Gluconate, Calcium Glycerophosphate, etc., are modified following the category amendments in Food Code2.
(3) Obscure items are clarified and repetitive additives are deleted.
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