South Korea Bans Import of Omeprazole in Food Products

On July 8, 2024, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued an important announcement, Document No. 2024-328. This announcement updated the "Guidelines for Designating and Revoking the Prohibition of Importing Overseas Food and Related Ingredients into South Korea" by adding a substance called Omeprazole as a prohibited import ingredient. This measure is taken to ensure the food safety of Korean consumers and maintain the stability of the domestic food market. The specific details are as follows:

Omeprazole is a common pharmaceutical ingredient, primarily used for the treatment of excessive stomach acid and other gastric conditions. However, due to the potential adverse effects it may have on human health under certain circumstances, the MFDS has decided to include it in the list of prohibited imports.

The ban on the import of Omeprazole will officially come into effect on July 22, 2024. The Korean government has called on both domestic and international food producers and importers to promptly adjust their product formulations to ensure compliance with the new regulation. At the same time, the MFDS will also strengthen its supervision of imported food products to ensure the effective implementation of the new rule.