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On June 29, 2020, MFDS released two drafts to the Food Code by Notice No. 2020-264 [1] and Notice No. 2020-265 [2]. The consultation periods are both set to end on July 20. The main contents are:
1. The Provision of CBD (Notice No. 2020-265)
CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound found in cannabis genus plants. [3] It is not psychoactive and causes few side effects.
The present regulation on cannabis in Food Code [4] only applicable to THC, a psychoactive compound in cannabis. This draft involved the standard of CBD. The details are specified as below.
Present Regulation | Proposed Draft |
Standard of “δ-9-Tetra hydrocannabinol” (1) hemp seed: less than 5 mg/kg (2) hemp seed oil: less than 10 mg/kg
| Standards of “δ-9-Tetra hydrocannabinol, THC” and “Cannabidiol, CBD” (1) hemp seed: THC : less than 5 mg/kg CBD : less than 10 mg/kg (2) hemp seed oil : THC : less than 10 mg/kg CBD : less than 20 mg/kg |
2. Amendments to Food Categories
2.1. New Food Category: Home Meal Replacement (Notice No. 2020-265)
The pandemic has accelerated the demand for HMR (home meal replacement) in South Korea as people cannot go out for dinner. According to data from CJ online mall, the sales of HMR (home meal replacement) food showed a YOY growth rate of 84% from February 24 to March 1. (Find more about the Impact of COVID-19 on the South Korean Food Sector [5]) Out of this increase in consumption needs, MFDS proposes to approve the HMR as a new food category officially and establish the relevant standard and specification to ensure food safety.
As per the draft, HMR is defined as a prepared meal kit to be easily cooked indoors following the provided cooking methods. This meal kit should consist of washed, cut, or semi-manufactured food materials and the seasonings. The manufacture and storage standards for HMR products are stated long in the draft.
2.2. New Food Category: Food for Special Medical Purpose (Notice No. 2020-264)
FSMP (Food for Special Medical Purpose) is listed as a subcategory of Food for Special Purpose in the present version of the Food Code. As the number of people with chronic diseases rises, the consumption demand for FSMP soars. MFDS sets up the FSMP as an individual food category and details three subdivided types of the FSMP:
Standard nutritious supplement;
Custom nutritious supplement;
Diet management food with menu (similar to an HMR prepared for the patients with different diseases).
2.3 Revised Food Category: Food for elderly (Notice No. 2020-264)
In the present version of the Food Code, there is only a definition of food for the elderly. According to the draft, food for the elderly is managed as a special food along with food for infants and children. The viscosity of food for the elderly is specified to be over 1500 mPa·s.
3. Other Amendments
The MRLs of 128 pesticides of agricultural products, seven animal drugs remained in processed food, and one pesticide remaining of livestock products are changed in Notice No. 2020-265. The MRLs of another 59 pesticides of agricultural products are modified as listed in Notice No. 2020-264.
Following the certified food safety information, two fish products of sparkling enope squid (Watasenia scintillans) and Japanese sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) are proposed to be added in food raw material list.
Certain specs related to food materials, such as the incorrect scientific name, duplicated items, etc. are modified.
The test methods are modified. The experimental methods for CBD and food for the elderly are established. The experimental methods of Vitamin B2, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and biotin are optimized, etc.
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