Cases Where Modification or Over-sticker Application is Allowed and Not Allowed for Health Functional Foods

When developing labels for health functional food products, there can be instances where an omission or incorrect information is unintentionally displayed. However, based on the labeling standards for health functional food, if the omission or error is deemed significant for food safety, modification or over-sticker application is not permitted. For minor issues, after obtaining approval from the relevant authority (local food and drug safety office for imports, or local municipality hygiene department for manufacturing in the case of item manufacturing reports), the corrections can be made.

Relevant Laws:

Based on "Notice of the Labeling Standards for Health Functional Foods by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, No. 2023-9 (2023.2.8, partial amendment), Article 5 (Labeling Methods) - Section 1, General Provisions - Sub-section d"

 

If there is a change in the content of the business permit/report or item manufacturing report, and the change has been approved/accepted by the permitting/reporting authority, the minor items listed below, except for the manufacturing date or expiration date, can be updated using printed or written labels:

The minor items recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are as follows:

1. Typographical errors in the labeling content
2. Omission of unit and capsule base material for nutritional/function (or indicator) components
3. Omission of container/packaging material indication
4. Cases where intake amount is not indicated numerically (e.g., 1-3 tablets per serving)
5. Changes required by amendments to laws and regulations, such as ingredient names and labeling changes
6. Similar cases to items 1) through 5) that are unrelated to the safety of health functional food

On the contrary, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety does not permit modifications or over-sticker application on the health functional food labels in the following cases. Generally, these are items closely related to food safety for consumers.

1. Usde-by date (Expiry date)
2. Mandatory information on the main display panel (product name, health functional food or logo)
3. Major ingredient and functionality information
4. Ingredient names and contents
5. Usage instructions and precautions
6. Export country
7. Country of origin