Major Regulatory Agencies

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)

• Role and Responsibilities: The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is the regulatory agency in Korea responsible for overseeing the safety and efficacy of food and pharmaceutical products. MFDS reviews and approves a wide range of products including food, health functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and quasi-drugs, while monitoring their production, sale, and distribution to ensure consumer safety.
• Key Departments and Functions: MFDS is divided into various departments. The Food Safety Department oversees the safety and hygiene of food products, the Pharmaceutical Management Department reviews the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products, and the Quasi-drugs Department is responsible for regulating the advertisement and sale of products that are not pharmaceuticals.

Other Related Agencies

• Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: The Ministry of Environment oversees environmental impact assessments and regulations to ensure food and environmental safety. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs manages agricultural production and livestock to promote the production and distribution of safe agricultural products.
• Local Governments: Local governments are responsible for regulating and managing food safety at the local level. They enhance food safety and regulatory compliance based on the characteristics of each region, aiming to protect local consumers and promote food safety practices.

These regulatory agencies work collaboratively to uphold the safety of the food industry in Korea and protect consumer well-being. The regulatory system led by MFDS, along with local governments and other related agencies, strives to maintain a safe and healthy food environment in the country.