"Drugs in the Jelly I Fed My Child".. First Detection of Opium Poppy Ingredients in Overseas Direct Purchase Food.. Safety Blind Spot

[Financial News]  #. Analysis of a famous seasoning product imported into Korea through overseas direct purchase from the famous American general store 'Trader Joe's' revealed the detection of drug ingredients such as morphine, thebaine, and codeine. This is the first time that morphine, codeine, and thebaine, ingredients of opium poppy, have been detected in overseas direct purchase food.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which confirmed this, recently designated these ingredients as new raw materials to be blocked from import into Korea. A representative from the Ministry stated, "Drug ingredients such as morphine, thebaine, and codeine have strong toxicity and can cause side effects such as respiratory depression, muscle spasms, and nausea, requiring special caution."


In countries where cannabis use is legalized, such as the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States, drug ingredients such as cannabis were detected in bulk in direct purchase overseas food sold on online shopping malls. 
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety conducted a planned inspection of 50 overseas direct purchase foods suspected of containing drug ingredients such as cannabis and announced on the 2nd that drug ingredients or raw materials and ingredients subject to import blocking were confirmed in 42 products, leading to the blocking of their import.
As of the end of August, there are 301 types of raw materials and ingredients that need to be blocked from import into Korea due to concerns about potential harm to public health, such as drug ingredients, medicinal ingredients, and harmful substances.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recently conducted inspections on products suspected of containing drug ingredients, such as jelly and snacks, which are said to be imported into Korea through overseas direct purchase, following concerns raised about the presence of drug ingredients such as cannabis, opium poppy, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The inspection items selectively applied 61 types, including cannabis ingredients, drugs, and psychotropic drugs. It was also confirmed whether the raw materials and ingredients subject to import blocking (297 types) were indicated on the products.
In particular, in this inspection, a simultaneous testing method was newly developed and tested for 12 types of drug ingredients, including morphine, thebaine, and psilocybin, along with 49 types of drug ingredients for which testing methods had already been established. As a result of the inspection, a total of 42 products were confirmed to contain 19 types of drug ingredients, including cannabis ingredients (CBD, THC, etc.), drugs (morphine, codeine, thebaine), and psychotropic drugs (psilocybin, etc.), as well as 4 types of medicinal ingredients such as theobromine and citicoline, and 2 types of raw materials that cannot be used in food, such as bacopa.
This is the first time that morphine, codeine, and thebaine, ingredients of opium poppy, and psilocybin, an ingredient of hallucinogenic mushrooms, have been detected. Among the overseas direct purchase food distribution companies caught, famous American general store Trader Joe's was also included. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety newly designated and announced morphine, codeine, thebaine, and psilocybin as raw materials and ingredients subject to import blocking.
By type of food in which drug ingredients were confirmed, there were 8 cases each of jelly and dietary supplements, 5 cases each of snacks and bread, 4 cases each of beverages and seasonings, and 14 cases of others. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requested customs clearance suspension for products in which drug ingredients were confirmed from the Korea Customs Service, and requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block access to online sales sites. In addition, the Ministry conveyed to the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards' hazardous product blocking system to stop sales, so that they are not imported or sold in Korea in the future. Furthermore, to provide consumers with reference when purchasing overseas direct purchase food, the Ministry posted information, including photos of products containing drug ingredients, on the 'Overseas Direct Purchase Food Correctly' section of the Food Safety Korea website. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety warned that importing or consuming food containing cannabis into Korea could result in punishment under the 'Narcotics Control Act'.
A representative from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety advised, "When purchasing overseas direct purchase food, you should first check whether the product contains raw materials and ingredients subject to import blocking on the 'Overseas Direct Purchase Food Correctly' website."
ssuccu@fnnews.com Kim Seoyeon Reporter