Gov't plans to tighten ingredient labeling rules for processed food

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- Plans to tighten ingredient labeling rules for processed foods are underway to better reflect growing public concern over tainted Chinese milk products, the government said Monday.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said working level
reviews have started to inform consumers about what goes into the food they eat.
The move comes in the wake of a widening scandal surrounding imported foodstuffs.
Health authorities confirmed last week that confections made in China under a
original equipment manufacturing (OEM) arrangement with South Korea's Haitai
Confectionery and Food Co. contained traces of melamine, an industrial chemical
that can cause kidney damage in humans. Melamine was also detected in instant
coffee creamer and a snack imported from Hong Kong.
Melamine is a nitrogen-based chemical that can pose health risks if consumed in
large quantities. It is used widely in kitchen utensils like ladles, but Chinese
dairy producers were recently caught adding the chemical to milk products.
Nitrogen can increase apparent protein content levels, translating into higher
prices.
"Public hearings and meetings are planned to listen to the views of food
manufacturers, but tighter labeling rules will probably be enforced," said a
ministry official.
In the past, Seoul responded to calls to reduce manufacturers burdens, and did
not ask companies to list the country-of-origin for all ingredients used in a
product, especially if they were only used in small quantities.
In a related move, the government and ruling Grand National Party agreed Sunday
to take steps to get local companies to notify consumers if products are made
under OEM arrangements.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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