,"South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has updated the list of imported foods subject to mandatory inspection orders, reinforcing its commitment to food safety. The updated list covers a wide range of products from countries including India, Poland, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Austria, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China. These imported foods are now subject to inspections for potential contaminants such as metallic foreign bodies, radioactivity (iodine and cesium), bacteria, pesticides, and preservatives. The inspection periods for these products vary, with some extending into 2026, depending on the type of product and its associated risk. Among the products under inspection, natural spice powder from India is being monitored for metallic foreign bodies, with an inspection period from February 29, 2016, to February 28, 2026. Berries including blueberry, lingonberry, and bilberry, as well as jams and processed fruit products made from these berries, imported from Poland, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Austria, and Sweden, are checked for radioactivity (iodine and cesium) between October 22, 2025, and October 21, 2026. Similarly, Sarcodon aspratus mushrooms from Russia and Ukraine are tested for radioactivity from April 23, 2019, to April 22, 2026. Powdered natural spices from China (two manufacturers) are under inspection for metallic foreign bodies until October 21, 2025. Tuna and other fishery products intended to be eaten raw from Japan are monitored for Salmonella through March 30, 2026. Other items include sealed snack foods from India (excluding fermented products or those containing lactic acid bacteria) being tested for bacterial count until October 21, 2026, and other types of salt from Pakistan being checked for insoluble powder until March 30, 2026. Dried wood ears from China are tested for the pesticide carbendazim until December 23, 2025, while chilli peppers from Vietnam are monitored for multiple pesticides including diniconazole, tolfenpyrad, tricyclazole, permethrin, dimethoate, isoprothiolane, metominostrobin, and monocrotophos until March 30, 2026. Infusion teas from China are inspected for pesticides such as pyridaben, dinotefuran, othophenyl phenol, prochloraz, and chlorpyrifos until June 29, 2026. Processed unsterilized vegetables from China (two manufacturers) are tested for coliform until March 28, 2026. Bread from China (four manufacturers) and sugared preserves (excluding sealed and sterilized products) from China are being monitored for preservatives, with inspection periods ending on June 27, 2026, and September 29, 2026, respectively."
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