Detailed Inspections of Imported Foods Suspected of Posing Risks Expanded to Up to 20 Times... Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Rationally Improves On-Site Regulations

[Financial News] Safety management will be significantly strengthened, with the number of detailed inspections for imported food products suspected of posing safety risks increased to as many as 20.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 30th that it had revised and promulgated the Enforcement Rule of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control.
Under the enforcement rule, imported food products with a history of noncompliance have so far been subject to detailed inspections up to five times when reimported into South Korea. Going forward, however, the number of detailed inspections will be increased to as many as 20 for food products deemed highly likely to pose safety risks.
The classification of risk levels by noncompliant item and the number of detailed inspections for each level will be specified through the Regulations on the Declaration and Inspection of Imported Food Products and Other Items.
In addition, to help consumers who purchase imported food products through online purchasing agents easily check safety-related information, business operators will be required to include guidance on the Imported Food Allbaro website in their advertisements. Administrative sanctions will be newly established for violations.
On the Imported Food Allbaro website, users can check the names, manufacturers and photos of approximately 5,000 products found to contain hazardous ingredients.
Regulations will also be eased by expanding the grounds for approving changes to the intended use of imported food products and other items.
Until now, approval to change the intended use was required to sell food products imported as ingredients for food manufacturing to another manufacturing business. The grounds for approval were limited to circumstances such as the closure or bankruptcy of the importer of the ingredients.
Going forward, the grounds for approval will be expanded so that manufacturers facing difficulties securing ingredients due to large-scale disasters, infectious diseases and other circumstances can receive ingredients imported by other companies.
Business incubator centers will also be allowed to house offices for businesses that import food products. Previously, offices for businesses registering to import and sell imported food products and other items could be established only in neighborhood living facilities, business facilities and similar locations.
The requirement to submit a certificate of completion of hygiene training when registering a business or succeeding to a business status will be waived, and the registration process for changes involving exemplary importers will be simplified.
An official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, "The government will continue to pursue reasonable institutional improvements, placing the safety of the public above all else while enhancing public convenience and industrial competitiveness."

[email protected] Kim Seo-yeon Reporter