South Korea Solicits Public Comments on the Draft of Food Additive Code

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released the draft of Food Additive Code¹ for public opinions on October 31, 2022. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS prior to December 30, 2022.

Proposed amendments:

1. Amending the Usage Limit of Methyl Cellulose 

Methyl Cellulose is a food additive that can help improve the meat-like texture of meat alternatives (plant-based meat). To help accelerate the R&D of meat alternatives, MFDS plans to change the permitted amount of Methyl Cellulose to "the minimum amount required to achieve its physical, nutritive, and other technical effects".

Currently, the amount of Methyl Cellulose added to food should be less than 2% in food.

2. Modifying the Enzyme Standards

(1) The manufacturing standard related to the immobilized enzyme (고정화 효소제) is newly introduced. The substances serving as enzyme immobilization agents should comply with the standards and specifications under the Food Code², Food Additive Code³, or Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers and Packages⁴. The enzyme immobilization agents & supports registered with the Codex Alimentarius Commission can also be used for manufacturing immobilized enzymes. In addition, these substances for immobilizing enzyme shall not be migrated into food.

(2) New storage and distribution standard is brought out in the draft. For the enzyme agents which could be distributed at room temperature, for example, powdered enzyme, the products can be stored and distributed under the conditions as indicated by manufacturers. Currently, enzymes shall be stored in a cool, dry place.

(3) To guide enterprises properly use enzyme preparations, the draft also clarifies that the enzyme cannot be used for purposes other than these specified in the enzyme's definition. 

3. Optimizing the Synthetic Flavoring Substance List

(1) Four synthetic flavoring substances’ internationally used synonyms are newly added: