New Revisions
If any enterprise hinders or attempts to avoid mandatory onsite inspection, all importation activities will be immediately stopped; Good importers can be exempted from material inspection or the customs inspection at the ports once all of their goods are compliant for three consecutive years and have declared over five batches of foods annually in the past three years. (Notice Date: Nov. 18)
MFDS shall annually select certain hazardous substances as the investigation object, formulate corresponding investigation schedules, and implement the plan. Detailed sampling methods are specified, as well. (Notice Date: Nov. 19)
Newly approved functions of already approved active ingredients will not be listed in South Korea’s positive list of active ingredients and associated approved functional claims until after three years. The permitted and banned food additives are specified for Children’s functional foods; The principle of using more than two active ingredients is revised. (Notice Date: Nov.25)
Punishment standards were detailed to manage non-compliant cases when hazards are detected. (Notice Date: Nov. 26)
Newly added the image of intramuscular fat (marbling) of beef. (Notice Date: Nov. 27)
Adjustment of Quality Certificate Authentication Standard of Children’s Favorite Food
The safety standard “food passed the pre-confirmation based registration” was changed into “food imported by good importers or from excellent overseas manufacturers as regulated in Article 7 and 8 of Special Safety Management Law of Imported Food”.
Adjustment of nutrition standards: foods with high caffeine are listed in the negative list which cannot apply for the quality certificate; the revision of the nutrient standards of protein and vitamin D are listed as below; the nutrition standard does not apply to foods of which over 95% ingredients are vegetable, fruits, nuts, cereal, eggs, or milk.
| Nutrients | In Snacks | In meal replacement products |
| Protein | Intake amount per serve shall take up at least 5% of the reference intake per serving; the reference intake per serving shall be over 3g | Intake amount per serve shall take up at least 10% of the reference intake per serving; the reference intake per serving shall be over 5.5g |
| Vitamin D | Intake amount per serve shall take up at least 15% of the reference intake per serving; the reference intake per serving shall be over 1.5μg | Intake amount per serve shall take up at least 30% of the reference intake per serving; the reference intake per serving shall be over 3.0μg |
Newly added: edible food coloring red #2 (amaranth), edible food coloring red #2 aluminum lake, edible food coloring red #102 (carmine); sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, and calcium sorbate. (Notice Date: Nov. 28)
Consultation Drafts
The content includes the rules about the inspection target, responsible authorities, inspection schedules, and inspection methods. Opinions shall be submitted prior to Dec. 6.
Good importers now are exempted from material inspection or the customs inspection at the ports. This regulation mainly detailed the procedures for good importers to apply for the exemption. Opinions shall be submitted prior to Dec 10.
Newly added the procedures for good importers to apply for the inspection exemption for imported health functional foods. Opinions shall be submitted prior to Dec. 10.
The revision updates the rules for facilities, evaluation grounds to GMP enterprises, and specific evaluation methods. For example, the government can carry out the investigation and evaluation at any time without a pre-notification. To enterprises that also possess a HACCP system, the implementation evaluation of the HACCP system can be taken into the final consideration of GMP evaluation as a reference. Opinions shall be submitted prior to Dec.11.
The revision involves inspection methods, labeling of agricultural products, and items related to the good management certificate, such as procedures to submit alteration applications, requirements for equipment, etc. Opinions shall be submitted prior to Dec 16.
Labeling requirements of children’s favorite food are revised; in addition, applicants shall submit the renewal application 15 days before the expiration date of the certificate. Opinions shall be submitted prior to Dec 23.
Released Guidelines
In order to expedite the approval of health foods (also known as health functional foods), South Korea will help enterprises confirm whether they need to apply for approval of functional claims and will also inform enterprises of the application materials required. (Notice Date: Nov. 6)
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