South Korea announces re-inspection of hot peppers imported from Vietnam

(HQ Online) - According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Korea, the Trade Office has received a letter from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) notifying about the re-designation of imported foods that must be inspected when entering Korea.

Fresh Vietnamese chili peppers are allowed to be exported to China again. Chili exports to South Korea need strict regulations on pesticide residues.

Hàn Quốc tăng cường kiểm tra an toàn thực phẩm nhập khẩu

South Korea strengthens food safety inspections of imported foods.

Accordingly, in order to raise awareness of food safety responsibilities of importers and ensure the safety of imported food consumers, the Korean MFDS announced that it will extend the inspection order under Article 22 (Inspection Order) of the “Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control” and the “Regulations on Inspection Orders for Imported Food”…

Prior to terminating the inspection order, MFDS decided to re-designate certain food items for inspection after much deliberation and review due to high nonconformity rates or potential for harm.

For products imported from Vietnam, the food items that need to be inspected are: Hot peppers (Cayenne, Capsicum, Chili Pepper, Red Pepper, Tabasco). Inspection items include: 7 pesticides (Diniconazole, Tolfenpyrad, Tricyclazole, Permethrin, Dimethoate, Isoprothiolane, Metominostrobin).

MFDS Korea will extend the inspection order from March 31, 2023 to March 30, 2025 (instead of March 30, 2024) due to the continuous non-compliance of imported foods with standards and specifications.

The list of food items subject to inspection is posted on the MFDS website (http://www.mfds.go.kr) in accordance with Article 3 of the “Regulations on Inspection Orders for Imported Food”…

In addition, Korean individuals or business entities intending to import food subject to inspection orders must submit test reports issued by MFDS-approved laboratories when making import declarations.

As of February 2024, there are 59 MFDS-approved laboratories in and outside Korea.

In Vietnam, there are 8 facilities approved by MFDS including: Quality Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Region I (NAFIQAD I); NAFIQAD II; NAFIQAD III; NAFIQAD IV; NAFIQAD V; NAFIQAD VI; Intertek Vietnam Co., Ltd. - Can Tho Branch Laboratory; SGS Vietnam Co., Ltd. - Food Laboratory.

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