On June 10, 2022, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) amended the country’s Food Sanitation Act to add conditions for the use of recycled content in food contact articles.
Manufacturers who wish to use recycled materials must now demonstrate that the recycled material fulfills the standards outlined for the relevant virgin food contact material by supplying data directly to MFDS for review. If it meets the same safety criteria as a non-recycled material, MFDS will supply the manufacturer with a certificate of accreditation. In addition to prohibiting unauthorized recycled materials in domestic production, the update to the Food Sanitation Act also bans the import, storage, transport, and display of unauthorized recycled food contact materials.
The amendments come into force on December 11, 2022.
Read more
MFDS (June 10, 2022). “Food Sanitation Act.” Government of South Korea (in Korean)
Lorraine T.S. Li (June 13, 2022) “South Korea requires a certificate of recycled resources for food packages.” ChemLinked
