Food and drug safety ministry starts tailored health functional food checks

The food and drug safety ministry said it will inspect and sample-test tailored health functional food retailers from Aug. 24 through 28, focusing on hygiene and work-record management.

Six regional offices will inspect sanitation controls for facilities and equipment used in portioning and combining, qualified managers' consumer consultations, work records and training, and product management and labeling. Completed products will be tested for hygiene indicator bacteria.

The ministry said hygiene controls and work-record management are particularly important because retailers conduct individual consultations and portion and combine products. The tailored health functional food system, under which consumers can consult qualified tailored health functional food managers, such as pharmacists and nutritionists, before buying products in needed amounts, took full effect on March 19.

Retailers found in violation will be referred to local governments for administrative penalties, with corrective measures verified within six months. Products that fail sample tests are to be recalled and disposed of.

The ministry said it will continue strengthening safety management for tailored health functional foods to help create a distribution environment in which consumers can make purchases with confidence.