South Korea Proposes Amendments to Food Additive Code

On November 21, 2024, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released draft amendments to the Food Additive Code, with a public consultation period open until January 20, 2025. Key proposed amendments are as follows.

Revision of Steviol Glycosides Specification

To address the slight bitterness and astringency of Steviol Glycosides derived through extraction, the draft introduces bio-conversion technology to enhance taste profiles. The proposed method involves treating extracts or purified products from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves with glucosyltransferase and sucrose synthase, followed by purification using adsorption resins, recrystallization, and drying. If genetically modified microorganisms are used in production, prior approval is required, and the final product must be free of enzymes and related production strains (including genetic materials). Additional updates include removing the identification methods and revising quantification methods for Steviol Glycosides.

Addition of Ethanol as a Manufacturing Solvent for Xanthan Gum and Gellan Gum

Ethanol (alcohol) is proposed as an addition to the currently approved isopropyl alcohol, aligning with international standards for manufacturing Xanthan Gum and Gellan Gum.

Updated Testing Methods for Food Additives

Improved testing methods for Invertase β-Fructofuranosidase and Ferulic Acid are introduced to enhance analytical clarity and accuracy.