FOOD AND HEALTH ESSENTIALS

Regulators move to strengthen food standards in South Korea

In the aftermath of reported instances of eggs contaminated with the pesticide fipronil, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has taken steps to strengthen applicable food standards and specifications in country.

According to a recent posting by consulting firm Selerant, the proposed revision of Korea’s Food Code and Specification and Regulation will repeal Korea’s livestock product code, and replace it with a new code that will more consistently implement Korea’s food code regulations, and contribute to overall improvements in the management of food and livestock product classifications.

Specifically, the new food code will require egg producers to provide information on sanitation practices for egg products and the hygienic testing methods used, as well as clear and consistent marking that identifies the “spawning day” of eggs and their breeding environment.

Provisions under the new code would reportedly take effect on 1 January 2018.

The text of the Selerant posting on Korea’s proposed livestock code is available here.