February 27 News! South Korea Proposes to Expand the Scope of Foods Subject to Mandatory GMO Labeling

South Korea Advance Notice of Draft Partial Amendment to the “Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods, etc.”

MFDS Public Notice No. 2026-114

 

In order to partially amend the “Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods, etc.” (MFDS Notification No. 2019-98, October 28, 2019), the reasons for the amendment and the main contents are hereby announced in advance to the public and comments are invited, in accordance with Article 46 of the Administrative Procedures Act.

February 27, 2026
Minister of Food and Drug Safety

 

Advance Notice of Draft Partial Amendment to the Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods, etc.

1. Purpose of the Amendment
In accordance with the revision of the Food Sanitation Act (Act No. 21299, amended and promulgated on December 30, 2025; effective December 31, 2026), this amendment aims to clearly define the scope of foods subject to GMO labeling, including genetically modified foods in which genetically modified DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or genetically modified proteins do not remain after manufacturing or processing, in order to ensure consumers’ right to know and freedom of choice.

 

2. Main Contents
A. Clarification of the scope of foods subject to GMO labeling (Draft Article 3, Paragraph 2)

  1. Korean traditional soy sauce, brewed soy sauce, acid-hydrolyzed soy sauce, enzyme-hydrolyzed soy sauce, and mixed soy sauce defined under the Standards and Specifications for Foods, as well as mixed sauces and other sauces manufactured or processed using soy sauce as a raw material
  2. Sugars defined under the Standards and Specifications for Foods
  3. Edible oils and fats defined under the Standards and Specifications for Foods

 

3. Submission of Comments
Organizations or individuals who wish to submit comments on the draft amendment to the Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods, etc. should submit written opinions including the following information to the Minister of Food and Drug Safety by April 30, 2026 (Postal Code: 28159, Address: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Food Labeling and Advertising Policy Division, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea, Osong Health & Medical Administrative Town; Tel: 043-719-2192; Email: mfdskhj@korea.kr).

 

Reference

https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_209/view.do?seq=44217&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1