[Updated] South Korea to Revise Food Code: Food Materials and Maximum Residual Limits

Updates:

The amendments published in Draft No. 2023-360 were included in the Food Code on November 28, 2023. 

On July 18, 2023, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued two exposure drafts of the Food Code (Draft No. 2023-359¹ and Draft No. 2023-360²), seeking public feedback. The consultation periods for both drafts are scheduled to conclude on September 18, 2023.

The proposed amendments primarily encompass: alterations to the food raw material lists; revisions to the Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) of pesticides and veterinary drugs; enhanced inspection processes for edible raw eggs; exemptions for sterilization and disinfection procedures for powder-formed Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP); and changes to mycotoxin standards for processed foods produced entirely from corn and sorghum. More detailed information is provided below:

1. Updating the Food Material List (Draft No. 2023-359¹ and Draft No. 2023-360²) 

As per the result of the re-evaluation of food ingredients, the MFDS plans to omit three items from the current food material list, specifically Scribbled Leatherjacket Filefish, Hibiscus calyx, and Aloe mutabilis, for they may expose harm to public health. 

In addition, certain food materials, including Sweet Wormwood (leaf, stem), Yucca root, African Mango seed, Yellow Sweetclover (leaf, flower), Black Mustard seed, and Ceylon Cinnamon (stem bark, branch), are proposed to be classified as restricted materials. 

The authority also intends to add 105 internationally safe-confirmed fishery and agricultural products to the food materials list. The food raw material’s name, scientific name, and usage parts will be updated accordingly.

2. Revising the MRLs of Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs (Draft No. 2023-359¹ and Draft No. 2023-360²)

The MRLs for 115 pesticides, including Simazine, Glyphosate and Napropamide, will be adjusted. The maximum limit for Febantel(veterinary drug) in fish will also be newly specified in the Food Code.

3. Strengthening Inspection on Edible Raw Eggs (Draft No. 2023-359¹)

In light of the recent surge in food poisoning incidents caused by Salmonella bacteria, MFDS plans to broaden the scope of Salmonella testing for edible raw eggs from one species to three. Currently, only Salmonella Enteritidis is subject to sanitary inspection. As per the draft, S. Thompson and S. Typhimurium will also be included in the testing protocol. The test results for all three species must be negative for compliance.

4. Exempting Sterilization and Disinfection Processes for Powder-Formed FSMP (Draft No. 2023-360²)

In South Korea, FSMPs are mainly intended for immunocompromised people. To protect consumers from potential harm caused by microorganisms, sterilization and disinfection procedures are mandatory for FSMPs. However, as FSMPs in powder form have a low risk for microorganism growth due to low moisture content, MFDS proposes that sterilization and disinfection processes can be exempted for these products.

5. Other Proposed Modifications (Draft No. 2023-359¹ and Draft No. 2023-360²)

The standard for determining the oil category is updated;

Defatted sesame and soybean flours are no longer subject to the acid value standard;

Testing methods are optimized;

Ambiguous items and provisions are clarified.