Customized health supplements to require 'not a medicine' label

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is moving to implement mandatory labeling for customized health functional foods, requiring them to be clearly marked as 'not a medicine.' This initiative aims to prevent consumer confusion as the market for personalized supplements expands.

The proposed amendment to the Enforcement Rule of the Health Functional Foods Act, open for public comment until August 31, includes the creation of a dedicated design for customized health supplements. Both the outer and inner packaging will be required to display the phrase 'This is not a medicine.' Additionally, sellers must provide information on precautions for consumption, particularly when taken with other medications.

Customized health functional foods, introduced in March of last year, allow consumers to purchase specific amounts of vitamins and other supplements based on consultations with experts like pharmacists, nutritionists, or doctors, tailored to their health status and dietary habits. As of July 3, there are 796 pharmacies and businesses offering these personalized services.

The MFDS seeks to ensure consumers can easily distinguish these products from pharmaceuticals and understand potential risks associated with combining them with existing medications. The public can submit opinions on the proposed amendment through the National Participation Legislation Center or directly to the MFDS.