South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has confirmed that processed food products that do not contain meat (e.g. canola oil and other edible plant-based oils) do not require health certificates for export.
MFDS has advised that from 14 June 2024, new government-facilitated registration and health certificate requirements will apply for food facilities that manufacture animal products as per the following classifications:
- Processed meat containing products: products manufactured/processed using meat as a main ingredient, other than livestock products (check MFDS food code for definition of livestock products)
- Processed egg containing products: products manufactured/processed using eggs as a main ingredient, other than livestock products (check MFDS food code for definition of livestock products)
- Other meat and eggs as defined in the Enforcement Notification of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control (as of 23 May, this includes ratite meat and ratite eggs).
Based on historic trade data, the department understands that few, if any, products will be impacted by this new requirement. However, if you intend to export processed food products with meat or egg as a main ingredient (other than products for which health certification already exists), you should initially contact MFDS to ascertain whether your product is subject to the new requirements. Due to the new requirements that may apply, ensure that enquiries are made well in advance.
1.1 Prohibited
The Department is unaware of any specific requirement for edible processed goods that are for export to South Korea.
1.2 Conditions
For processed food products which contain meat or egg as a main ingredient, exporters should contact MFDS in the first instance for advice on product classification (refer section 1. General conditions). There may be additional requirements for registration and health certification, depending on the product classification, so ensure that enquiries are made well in advance.
