SG 50/24
South Korea has initiated a consultation over its proposed revision to the nation’s standards and specifications for food contact materials and articles.
In South Korea, food contact materials and articles are regulated by the Food Sanitation Act (the Act). Chapter 3 of the Act prohibits the presence or use of toxic/harmful chemicals in food contact utensils, containers and packages that could endanger human health. It also directs the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to establish standards and specifications for these products.
In February 2024, South Korea’s MFDS issued Notice No. 2024-97 to announce its intention to revise ‘Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers and Packages’ (MFDS Notification No. 2022-97, December 29, 2022, the Standard, in Korean) by improving and supplementing some of the deficiencies. The administrative notice contains several changes to the Standard:
- Details the improved printing standards for food contact surfaces of food utensils
- Clarifies that the requirement of less than 0.1% lead used in the manufacture or repairing food contact parts of utensils, containers and packaging includes solder (Section II, clause 1.7 ‘Common manufacturing standards’)
- Improves the analytical method for arsenic
- Clarifies that if the material and color of the main body and accessories are identical, testing is to be conducted on the main body
- Brings several editorial changes for clarity
According to Notice No. 2024-97, the provisions will enter into force on the date of its announcement.
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