Korea Unlocks Additive Flexibility: New Rules Broaden Food Ingredient Horizons

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has overhauled its Food Additive Standards, effective immediately as of November 26, 2025, ushering in greater flexibility for manufacturers. The revision reclassifies additives into three clear categories: general additives, processing aids, and nutrient fortificants—each with tailored safety and usage rules.

Most notably, zinc gluconate and six other additives can now be used in general foods, not just supplements. Vitamin K1, once restricted to medical foods, may now appear in everyday products. Even vitamin B2 and magnesium oxide gain new roles—as colorants and anti-caking agents.

The update also greenlights modified hop extracts in non-alcoholic beer and standardizes 39 enzyme preparations with clear reaction mechanisms, international codes, and aliases—making compliance easier for importers. This isn’t deregulation; it’s smarter regulation, enabling innovation while maintaining safety.