Sodium and Calorie Labels on Delivery Chicken... MFDS Establishes Labeling Guidelines

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Holds Meeting with Chicken Industry Leaders
Chicken Franchises to Disclose Calories, Sugar, and Sodium Information by 2024

Officials from the Korea Consumer Agency are explaining the results of a survey conducted on June 15 at the Government Sejong Complex, which investigated the nutritional content and other factors of 24 products from 10 popular franchise chicken brands. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] Starting as early as next year, it will be possible to check the nutritional information of popular franchise chicken. Chicken is currently not subject to mandatory nutritional labeling and has relied on voluntary participation by companies, but the demand for providing nutritional information has grown.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety held a meeting at the Sejong Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, with the Korea Franchise Association and representatives of major chicken franchise companies to discuss methods of providing information on chicken’s calories, sodium, and allergenic ingredients. The Ministry explained that there have been continuous demands from consumer groups and food nutrition experts for providing nutritional information because chicken contains high calories and sodium.

The meeting included 12 chicken companies such as Kyochon Chicken, Goobne Chicken, Kkuburakko Sutbul Dumari Chicken, Nene Chicken, Norang Tongdak, Mexicana Chicken, BBQ, BHC, Ajukeo Chicken, 60 Gye Chicken, Cheogajip Yangnyeom Chicken, and Puradak. Seven major franchises agreed with the government to disclose information on calories, sugars, and sodium by the first half of 2024 at the latest.

Until now, chicken has not been classified as a children's preferred food despite being a widely consumed food, so only some companies voluntarily displayed nutritional information on their websites. The Ministry has expanded mandatory labeling to foods high in sugar and sodium and widely consumed foods produced over 50 tons annually. Starting this year, rice cakes, tofu, napa cabbage kimchi, and curry will also be required to display nutritional information step-by-step according to sales volume.

The Ministry plans to support online nutritional information labeling guidelines and training from next year so that franchise restaurants providing nutritional information can offer accurate data to consumers. They also stated, "It is a principle to disclose information on the company’s website, and in the future, it will be gradually expanded to delivery apps and, if necessary, packaging boxes."

Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is holding a meeting with representatives of major chicken franchise companies on the 18th at the Sejong Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On the day of the meeting, Oh Yu-kyung, head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said, "Please cooperate so that more franchise restaurants can provide nutritional information to strengthen consumers’ right to choose a balanced diet and create an environment where the public can practice healthy eating habits."

Hong Jun-bae, head of the Food Microbiology Team at the Korea Consumer Agency’s Testing and Inspection Bureau, said in an interview with YTN Radio’s "Saengsaeng Economy," "Although nutritional disclosure for chicken is not mandatory, it is a widely consumed food with high calories and saturated fat content, so providing nutritional information is necessary to control intake."

He added, "According to consumer surveys, 49% responded that they eat half a chicken at once, and when eaten with a can of cola, sugar intake reaches 52% of the standard. When accompanied by a glass of beer, the calorie intake is 1,290 kcal, equivalent to about two meals." Hong emphasized, "It is important to consume potassium-rich vegetables or bananas that can help excrete sodium and to be careful not to excessively consume sugars."

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