"Concerns Over Edible Oil and Flour Shortage... Government Expedites Import Customs Procedures"

MFDS Prepares Support Measures Including Flexible Application of Labeling System

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As concerns over supply disruptions of major food items such as flour and cooking oil continue due to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war and export bans on domestic food raw materials by some countries, the government is stepping up policy support through expedited import customs procedures.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that it met with key food companies and related association officials, including CJ CheilJedang, Nongshim, Daesang, Lotte Foods, Samyang Corporation, SPC, Binggrae, Ottogi, Orion, and Ingredion Korea, to assess the supply situation of food raw materials amid recent international developments and discuss countermeasures.

At the meeting, the MFDS checked the supply status focusing on raw materials with supply concerns such as palm oil and other edible oils, wheat, carbonated water, and corn. Industry representatives expressed concerns, stating, "So far, inventory management has not been a major issue, but prices may rise due to future international situations or climate impacts."

Accordingly, the MFDS recognized that for food raw materials with high import dependence, domestic product price increases and safety management issues could arise due to supply instability, and thus prepared response measures.

First, the MFDS will expedite import inspections of food raw materials at the import customs stage and support rapid securing of quantities by utilizing conditional import inspection systems, such as allowing sample inspections for price control or supply raw materials to be conducted after the goods have moved to company warehouses.

Additionally, if the use of alternative raw materials becomes inevitable due to supply instability, the MFDS will flexibly apply the 'labeling system' to permit the use of existing packaging materials, thereby minimizing production and distribution disruptions caused by labeling changes. In such cases, the changed raw materials must be announced on the food company's website, etc.

To fundamentally block the distribution of low-priced and substandard products caused by raw material supply instability, the government will also strengthen guidance, inspections, and planned crackdowns.

The MFDS stated, "We will continue to communicate closely with the food industry to actively ensure that the public can consume hygienic and safe food."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.