,"On December 23, 2025, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea issued Announcement No. 2025-524, proposing revisions to the standards and specifications for health functional foods. The proposed amendments are intended to enhance regulatory clarity and improve the accuracy of quality control requirements for functional ingredients and nutritional components. Key proposed changes include the addition of a new functional claim—“helps regulate immune function”—for the functional ingredient chitosan oligosaccharide, along with the establishment of corresponding manufacturing standards and testing methods. In addition, MFDS proposes to improve testing methods for several nutrients and functional raw materials, including vitamin B1, niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B12, biotin, fatty acids, and lactic acid bacteria counts. The proposed revisions aim to create more comprehensive and scientifically robust standards for health functional foods in South Korea. The public comment period for this proposal is open until February 23, 2026."
Consumer News Region