South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has introduced stricter labelling regulations for processed foods, caffeine warnings, and sweetener content, with compliance deadlines set for 2026 and 2028. These changes aim to enhance consumer transparency and safety, particularly for high-caffeine products and sugar alcohols.
Insights & Strategic Moves:
High-Caffeine Labelling: All solid and liquid products containing guarana above 0.15mg per gram or millilitre must now display a high-caffeine warning label. This includes the phrase “Contains high caffeine” and a caution statement advising against consumption by children, pregnant women, and caffeine-sensitive individuals.
Sugar Alcohol Labelling: Products using sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol, xylitol) must specify the type and content on labels, alongside a warning about potential diarrhoea from excessive intake.
Expanded Nutrition Labels: The number of processed food categories requiring nutrition labels has increased to 259, covering items like ice creams, animal fats, meal kits, and processed insect products. Exemptions apply to 30 categories, including chewing gum, spices, and kimchi.
Future Outlook:Large companies with sales exceeding KRW 12 billion (US$8.2 million) in 2022 must comply by January 1, 2026, while smaller businesses have until January 1, 2028. These regulations will drive greater transparency but may increase operational costs for food manufacturers.
South Korea’s new labelling regulations represent a significant shift toward consumer safety and transparency, requiring food businesses to adapt swiftly to avoid penalties and maintain market competitiveness.
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