Proposed Partial Revisions Of the “Specifications and Standards of Food” (Notification no. 2017-366)
- Source: MFDS, Korea
- Oct 26, 2017
- 9 min read
Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has proposed partial revisions for the “Specifications and Standards of Food” (Notification no. 2017-366) on Sep 29, 2017.
This will be a partial revision of the “Specifications and Standards of Food” (hereafter referred to as the “Food Code” ) (Notification no. 2017-57) and the main contents of the revision shall be in accordance with Article 46 of the Administrative Procedures Act.
Rationale for the revision:
The revision were proposed to allow the distribution of processed grilled or fried fish products with low moisture content at room temperature; to prevent the misrepresentation of food products as health functional food products by adding health functional food products to the article regarding encapsulated products; and to allow only fruits, vegetables, carbonated and mixed beverages to be sold at room temperature or refrigerated.
A variety of transportation modes for frozen food will be allowed under the condition that the product can remain safely frozen during transportation.
Additionally, since a large amount of fish oil are being distributed in recent years, new regulations will be established for it.
10 types of raw materials which have been confirmed to be safe for consumption shall be added to the list of “Ingredients Approved for Use in Food”. Also, the regulations will be revised to allow only water extracted tuberous root of Wilford's swallow-wort (Cynanchum wilfordii) which has been confirmed safe for consumption to be used as a raw material in food. The standards for bacteria count for coffee shall be amended according to the food category revisions.
The maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides used domestically and overseas shall be established or revised. Related analytical methods shall be revised to provide clear regulations regarding the samples used to analyze the contaminants in food and the analytical method’s system. Errors in the consolidated amendments shall be corrected to manage food safety in a scientific manner.
Main changes:
Revision of Standards for Ingredients Used in Food [Draft Table 1, Table 2]
1) Establishment of new regulations to allow only water extracted tuberous root of Wilford's swallow-wort (Cynanchum wilfordii) which has been confirmed safe for consumption to be used as a raw material in food.
2) Clarification of ingredient names [item name (2 items), alternative name (10 items), scientific name (26 items), parts used (12 items)] and the combination of duplicated food ingredients (14 items).
3) Addition of 6 kinds of fishery products such as fish, crustaceans, etc. which have been confirmed by the internationally recognized organization (Fisheries & Aquaculture of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, Fishbase of WorldFish etc.) to the list of “Ingredients Approved for Use in Food”.
4) Addition of 4 microorganisms (Acetobacter aceti, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis, Propionibacterium acidipropionici and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis) that have been identified as safe for limited use in food by the International Dairy Federation to the list of microorganisms allowed in food.
Clarification of Food Category Regulations [Draft Article 2. 2. 11)]
1) Article 8 of the Food Sanitation Act enforcement regulations prohibits the display or advertisements that may misrepresent food products as pharmaceutical or health functional food.
2) The current Food Code stipulates that foods should not be manufactured or processed such that they may be mistaken for pharmaceuticals, but not for health functional foods.
3) The proposed revisions shall include health functional foods and the regulations shall be clarified.
Revision of Storage and Distribution Standards For Other Processed Fish Products [Draft Article 2. 4. 7)]
1) Processed fish products are required to be stored and distributed at 10 ° C or less. However, there is a need to allow items with low moisture content and safe to be transported at room temperature to be delivered at room temperature.
2) Other processed fish products which are grilled or fried with low moisture content shall be allowed to be delivered at room temperature.
3) Rationally revise storage and distribution standards so that various products can be developed within a safe range.
Allow Room Temperature Beverages To Be Frozen And Distributed [Draft Article 2. 4. 16)]
1) Currently, since room temperature products are not allowed to be sold frozen, beverages with little change in quality depending on the product temperature cannot be frozen at the point of sale during summer.
2) Proposed revisions will allow sellers to freeze and sell the fruits, vegetables, carbonated and mixed beverages that are either stored at room temperature or frozen, provided that the manufacturer or processor guarantees the quality in the frozen state.
3) The proposed revisions will enable various foods to be sold according to consumers' preference within a safe range.
Revision of Storage and Distribution Standards of Frozen Foods [Draft Article 2. 4. 19)]
1) It is difficult in reality to maintain the freezing temperature (below -18 ℃) during the delivery of frozen food by courier so there is a need to relax the storage and distribution standards within a safety range.
2) The proposed revision also clarifies that the temperature requirement will not apply if the product can remain frozen while it is being distributed to the end consumer for the purpose of self-consumption.
3) The revisions aim to contribute to the revitalization of the food industry through rational revision of storage and distribution standards.
Establishment of A New Food Category for Fish Oils [Draft Article 7. 7-2]
1) The distribution volume of fish oil is on the rise internationally, and as the international standards for fish oil are newly established, it is necessary to establish standards and specifications appropriate for the characteristics of fish oil.
2) Establishment of food type and standard and standard of fish oil.
3) Improve food safety management through appropriate standards and specification management according to the characteristics of fish oil.
Revision of Standards for Bacteria Count in Coffee [Draft Article 4. 9. 9-2 5) (5)]
1) In accordance with Food Code Notification No. 2016-154 (Dec. 16, 2012.29.), processed oil containing coffee is classified as coffee, and the application of bacteria count standards in enhanced coffee causes industry confusion.
2) There is a need for reasonable microbiological standard management considering the manufacturing and processing characteristics of existing coffee milk.
3) Binary management of microbiological standards only for coffee with non-fat milk solid content of 4%.
Revision of General Analytical Methods [Draft. Article 7. 2.1.3.1, 7th. 2.2.2.2, 7th. 3.3 3.3.4 a. 4), 7th. 9, 7. 11. 11.1.5, 7th. 11. 11.1 11.1.12]
1) Clarification of the wordings for the analytic principles of the Kjeldahl analytical method for total nitrogen and crude protein test.
2) Clarification of the wordings for the preparation method of test solution in the vitamin B1 analytical method and since it is difficult to procure LC columns because they are not distributed in Korea and they shall be unified with the test column registered for vitamin B1 in Health Functional Foods.
3) Establishment and revision of quantitative analytical methods for genetically modified canola.
4) Revision of Methomyl correction factor of pesticide Dithiocarb.
5) Reclassification of contaminants in foods.
6) Integration of regulations for the collection of samples for testing of contaminants distributed throughout the Food code.
Correction of Errors And Clarification of Wordings in the Consolidated Revision [Draft Article. 2. 3. 5) (1), Article 2. 4. 4), Article 4. 7-2 3) (1), Article 4. 10. 10-4 5) (14), Article 4. 10. 10-5 5) (7) and (8), Article 4. 10-6 5), Article 4. 16-2 3) (2), Article 7. 3.3 3.3.4 r가. 4)]
1) Although the antioxidant analytical method has been amended by Notice No. 2016-64, 2016.6.30, it was not reflected in the consolidated revision notice so, it shall be amended here.
2) The edible oils and fat to which heavy metal and benzo[a]pyrene standards are applied shall be changed to the name of the food category.
3) Clarification of storage and distribution standards of room temperature products.
4) Correction of the standard unit of Sulfur dioxide for sugar.
5) Correction of the manufacturing and processing standards of edible beef tallow and edible lard.
6) Clarification of wordings such that the Cronobacter spp. for cereal formula for infant/baby and other infant formula can be applied for less than 12 months.
7) The negative standard shall be added since the negative bacteria count standard (n = 5, c = 0, m = 0) is applied by principle for sterilized products.
8) Modification of patients’ food standards through the standardization of patients’ food category so that the existing standards of crude protein and crude fat for diabetic and kidney patients can be reflected.
9) Addition of a clause to exclude items such as milk protein allergy infant formula, special medical grade infant formula, and milk formula.
10) Clarification that the clause which prohibits the use of innards in fresh sausages excludes innards used for casing.
Newly Established and Revised Maximum Residue Limit (MRLs) for
Agricultural Products (in Draft Table 3)
Affected items (78) are as follows:
(9) Deltamethrin, (24) Dichlobenil, (31) Myclobutanil, (69) Cyhexatin, (85) Etofenprox, (86) Ethoprophos(Ethoprop) , (101) Imidacloprid, (112) Carbendazim, (116) Cartap, (131) Chlorpyrifos, (132) Chlorpyrifos-methyl, (133) Tebuconazole, (149) Triflumizole, (156) Paclobutrazol, (162) Fenitrothion∶MEP, (170) Phenthoate∶PAP, (173) Phorate. (186) Prochloraz, (188) Propamocarb, (192) Propiconazole, (200) Hexaconazole, (206) Chlorfenapyr, (207) Tebufenozide, (210) Fenazaquin, (212) Flufenoxuron, (218) Dimethomorph, (221) Dithianon, (227) Acetamiprid, (228) Azoxystrobin, (234) Fenpyroximate, (235) Fosthiazate, (236) Pyriproxyfen, (237) Pymetrozine, (238) fludioxonil, (239) Fluazinam, (248) Abamectin, (249) Emamectin benzoate, (255) Famoxadone, (259) Pyrimethanil, (285) Acrinathrin, (290) Indoxacarb, (299) Thifluzamide, (301) Fenhexamid, (303) Forchlorfenuron, (321) Dinotefuran, (325) Cyazofamid, (326) Acequinocyl, (332) Clothianidin, (335) Trifloxystrobin, (338) Thiacloprid, (345) Pyraclostrobin, (349) Novaluron, (352) Methoxyfenozide, (353) Metconazole, (355) Spirodiclofen, (361) Tefluthrin, (370) Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, (380) Pyridalyl, (386) Flonicamid, (403) Metaflumizone, (404) Metrafenone, (405) Cyenopyrafen, (408) Spinetoram, (410) Oxolinic acid, (416) Chlorantraniliprole, (422) Penthiopyrad, (424) Pyrifluquinazon, (428) Fluopyram, (430) Sulfoxaflor, (431) Isopyrazam, (433) Cyantraniliprole, (436) Flutianil, (437) Fluxapyroxad, (438) Pyriofenone, (439) Spirotetramat, (441) Pyraclonil, (452) Isofetamid, (460) Picarbutrazox]
1) There is a need for the safety management of pesticides newly registered in 「Pesticide Control Act」; and the establishment and revision of relevant standards for the application of establishment of pesticide MRLs for imported agricultural products.
2) Establishment and revision of MRL of 78 pesticides including Deltamethrin.
3) Providing citizens with food that are safe for consumption by reasonably establishing and revising the MRLs for agrochemicals in agricultural products.
Temporary MRL Standard Display of Unregistered Pesticides in Korea for Agrochemicals in Table 3:
Affected items (237) are as follows:
(5) Norflurazon, (6) Nitrapyrin, (8) Daminozide, (9) Deltamethrin, (10) Dodine, (11) Meptyldinocap, (12) DDT, (13) Dimethipin, (14) Dimethoate, (15) Disulfoton, (16) Diuron, (18) Dicamba, (19) Dicofol, (20) Diquat, (21) Dichlorvos, (22) Dichlofluanid, (23) Dicloran, (24) Dichlobenil, (25) Diclofop-methyl, (27) Diphenylamine, (28) Diphenamid, (30) Linuron, (31) Myclobutanil, (32) Malathion, (33) Maleic hydrazide, (34) Mevinphos, (35) Methomyl, (36) Methiocarb, (37) Mecarbam, (38) Metalaxyl, (39) Methamidophos, (40) Metolachlor, (41) Metobromuron, (42) Methoprene, (43) Methoxychlor, (44) Metribuzin, (46) Methylbromide, (47) Monocrotophos, (48) Vamidothion, (49) Bioresmethrin, (52) Bendiocarb, (54) Bentazone, (55) Buprofezin, (56) Bromacil, (57) Bromopropylate, (58) BHC, (59) Bitertanol, (60) Bifenox, (62) Vinclozolin, (63) Sethoxydim, (64) Simazine, (66) Cypermethrin, (67) Cyfluthrin, (68) Cyhalothrin, (69) Cyhexatin, (70) Anilazine, (73) Acephate, (75) Azinphos-methyl, (76) Aldrin & Dieldrin, (77) Aldicarb, (78) Alachlor, (79) Aluminium Phosphide(Hydrogen phosphide, (81) Ethephon, (82) Ethiofencarb, (83) Ethion, (84) Ethalfluralin, (85) Etofenprox, (86) Ethoprophos(Ethoprop), (87) Ethoxyquin, (88) Etrimfos, (89) Ethylene dibromide∶EDB, (90) Endosulfan, (91) Endrin, (92) MCPB, (93) Omethoate, (94) Oxadiazon, (95) Oxadixyl, (96) Oxamyl, (97) Oxyfluorfen, (98) Ortho-Phenyl Phenol, (99) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, (100) Imazalil, (102) Sulfur dioxide, (103) Isofenphos, (105) Iprodione, (106) EPN, (107) Chinomethionat, (108) Thiometon, (111) Carbaryl∶NAC, (112) Carbendazim, (113) Carbophenothio, (114) Carbofuran, (115) Carboxin, (116) Cartap, (117) Captafol, (118) Captan, (119) Quizalofop-ethyl, (120) Quintozene, (121) Clethodim, (122) Clomazone, (123) Clofentezine, (124) Chlorobenzilate, (125) Chlorothalonil, (126) Chlordane, (127) Chlormequat, (128) Chlorsulfuron, (129) Chlorfenvinphos, (130) Chlorpropharn, (134) Terbutryn, (136) Tecnazene, (137) Tetradifon, (138) Tolylfluanid, (139) Tolclofos-methyl, (141) Triadimenol, (142) Triadimefon, (143) Triazophos, (144) Tri-allate, (146) Triclopyr, (147) Triforine, (148) Trifluralin, (150) Thiabendazole, (152) Thiobencarb, (153) Parathion, (154) Paraquat, (155) Parathion-Methyl, (156) Paclobutrazol, (157) Permethrin(Permetrin), (158) Fenarimol, (159) Fenamiphos, (160) Phenothrin, (161) Fenoxaprop-ethyl, (162) Fenitrothion∶MEP, (163) Pendimethalin, (164) Fenvalerate, (165) Fenbuconazole, (166) Fenbutatin Oxide, (167) Fensulfothion, (168) Fenthion∶MPP, (169) Penconazole, (170) Phenthoate∶PAP, (171) Fenpropathrin, (172) Fentin, (173) Phorate, (174) Formothion, (175) Phosalone, (176) Phosmet, PMP, (177) Phosphamidon, (178) Phoxim, (179) Folpet, (180) Flusilazole, (181) Fluvalinate, (182) Flucythrinate, (183) Fluazifop-butyl, (184) Prometryn, (185) Procymidone, (187) Propanil, (188) Propamocarb, (189) Propargite, (190) Profenofos, (191) Propoxur, (192) Propiconazole, (193) Pyrazophos, (194) Pyrethrins, (195) Pirimicarb, (196) Pirimiphos-methyl, (197) Pirimiphos-ethyl, (198) Piperonyl butoxide, (199) Hexazinone, (202) Heptachlor, (208) Tebufenpyrad, (211) Prothiofos, (213) Pyraclofos, (215) Fiproni, (217) Dimethylvinphos, (219) Diafenthiuron, (220) Diethofencarb, (221) Dithianon, (228) Azoxystrobin, (232) Tricyclazole, (237) Pymetrozine, (240) Fenoxycarb, (241) Nuarimol, (247) Silafluofen, (255) Famoxadone, (256) Fluoroimide, (257) Fluquinconazole, (258) Pyridaphenthion, (260) Halfenprox, (262) Hexaflumuron, (263) Fenothiocarb, (269) Metolcarb, (274) Benzoximate, (278) Cycloprothrin, (280) Cinosulfuron, (282) Anilofos, (287) Inabenfide, (289) Isazofos, (292) Quinclorac, (294) Terbuthylazine, (295) Thenylchlor, (298) Thiazopyr, (302) Fosetyl-aluminium, (307) Phthalide, Fthalide, (312) Pyrazoxyfen, (313) Pyroquilon, (315) Pyrimidifen, (316) Pyributicarb, (317) Hymexazol, (321) Dinotefuran, (322) Dimepiperate, (332) Clothianidin, (336) Thidiazuron, (337) Thiamethoxam, (343) Fluroxypyr, (346) Pyraflufen-ethyl, (349) Novaluron, (353) Metconazole, (355) Spirodiclofen, (356) Ethaboxam, (357) Dithiocarbamates, (362) Triazamate, (369) Propisochlor, (372) Mecoprop-P, (373) Spiromesifen, (374) Alanycarb, (379) Fluacrypyrim, (385) Fenclorim, (388) Hydrogen cyanide, (397) Oxadiargyl, (398) Quinalphos, (414) Quinmerac, (415) Chromafenozide, (416) Chlorantraniliprole, (418) Piperophos, (420) Lindane, γ-BHC, (423) Picoxystrobin, (432) Saflufenacil]
1) Display MRLs of domestic unregistered pesticide introduced in foreign countries as a provisional standard
2) Display provisional MRL standards for 237 agrochemicals as such Norflurazon etc. as T.
3) To inform both domestically and internationally, the provisional MRLs standards, and induce the application for the establishment of the MRLs for the pesticides needed before the Positive List System (PLS) is implemented.
Submit feedback:
Organizations or individuals who have opinions on the “Proposed Partial Revisions For the “Specifications and Standards of Food” (Notification no. 2017-366) “ can submit your comments to MFDS by Dec 16, 2017 to the following contact:
International Cooperation Office
Ministry of Food and Drug safety
#187 Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdoek-gu Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk‑do
363-700, Korea
Tel: +(82 43) 719 1554
Fax: +(82 43) 719 1550
E-mail: wtokfda@korea.kr
Things to indicate:
1) Name (in the case of a group, the name of the group and the name of the representative)
2) Address
3) Telephone number
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