MFDS Conducts Intensive Safety Inspections on Overseas Direct Purchase Foods Ahead of Black Friday

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, together with the Korea Customs Service, will conduct a two-week intensive safety inspection of overseas direct purchase foods imported through express cargo and international mail from the 20th to the 1st of next month.

During this intensive inspection period, the focus will be on cracking down on products suspected of containing harmful substances, such as those claiming to boost immunity, improve sexual function, or aid in weight loss. The outer packaging will be opened for inspection, and ingredient analysis will be conducted to determine the presence of prohibited raw materials or substances to block their entry into the country.

If harmful substances are detected as a result of the inspection, the products will be restricted from entering the country by being discarded or returned during the customs clearance process. Therefore, consumers are advised to first check on the Food Safety Korea website whether the overseas direct purchase food contains any harmful substances before making a purchase.

This inspection has been prepared to prevent foods containing harmful substances from being imported domestically by taking advantage of the surge in overseas direct purchase volumes coinciding with the large-scale U.S. discount event, Black Friday (24th).

Since 2015, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Customs Service have been conducting collaborative safety inspections at the customs clearance stage for overseas direct purchase foods.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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