A Study on the Food Labelling System

식품표시(食品表示) 제도(制度)에 관한 연구(硏究)

The purpose of this study was to examine the food labelling system and its regulations based on Food Hygine Law in Korea and to compare them with those of USA and JAPAN. This study was carried out to suggest desirable direction for improvement of food labelling system in Korea by reviewing literatures and regulations related to the subject of this study. The results are as follows: 1. The indication of shelf-life in Korean lavelling system appeared ineffective from the point of view of consumer protection and resource preservation compared with dual system of indicating shelf-life in USA and Japan. 2. The standard of labelling general food in Korea does not give sufficient nutritive information to the consumers, compared with that in USA and Japan. 3. Only five ingredients including additives are to be listed on the food label in Korea whereas all the ingredients and additives are in the USA and Japan. 4. The way of Listing food additives on food label is neither specifically required nor standardized in Korea and, food additives are classified into only 7 groups in Korea while 18 in the USA. Based on the above results of literature review, the followings are suggested to improve food labelling system in Korea. 1. Indication of shelf-life should have dual system, in which perishable food should not be permitted to be sold after its shelf-life while the processed food or dried food to be preserved for a long time should be indicated with more or less flexible term about shelf-life. 2. Standard of labelling general food should include calorie, fat, protein, and the content of major vitamins and minerals. 3. All ingredients and their contents, including food additives should be listed on the food labels. 4. The standard of indication of food additives in Korea should include the name, usage and content of all additives used in foods.