In December 2025, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (the “MFDS”) announced its key initiatives for 2026, which include significant changes to the Korean food regulatory environment such as the implementation of the GMO full-labeling regime and AI-based import screening. Because these measures affect the alignment between global standards and domestic requirements, proactive compliance preparations by food companies are now more important than ever. The key policy changes and their main elements are set out below.
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Full GMO labeling implementation and strengthened post-market management
As the National Assembly passed the “GMO Full-Labeling Requirement” in December 2025, under which foods must be labeled as GMO when GMO raw materials were used in production even if GMOs do not remain in the final product, preparations for implementation will accelerate. The MFDS plans to amend the Notification in August 2026 after deliberation and decision on the "GMO Labeling Requirements" in February 2026; the law will take effect one year after promulgation.
To lessen price impacts, the MFDS plans to grant differentiated grace periods for GMO labeling by product category, and to set “Non-GMO” labeling criteria using reference points such as other jurisdictions’ unintended-admixture thresholds (e.g., EU 0.9%). The MFDS will also tighten customs controls by requiring documentary proof (e.g., GMO distribution certificates and GMO inspection report) on imported foods not labeled as GMOs and manufacturers claiming “Non-GMO” on imported foods will be added to the pool for on-site inspections in origin countries to ensure strict verification of whether GMO ingredients are used.
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AI-based import inspection and strengthened safety management
The MFDS will deploy an AI risk-prediction system to target inspections toward higher-risk imported foods, and it will push for the introduction of a pre-import inspection order system for importers with repeated non-compliance. In addition, AI will be introduced to detect foreign objects in meat and to predict cause of foodborne illness, thereby dramatically improving the accuracy and speed of the food-safety net.
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Blocking illegal/misleading online advertisements and increasing advertiser liability
Use of AI-generated fake medical professionals (fake doctors or pharmacists) in food recommendation advertising will be prohibited, and advertisers will be barred from promoting foods using names or ingredient wording that are confusingly similar to prescription drugs. In particular, the MFDS plans to encourage industry self-regulation but will increase the legal accountability of advertisers (particularly importers and sellers of imported foods) to ensure enforcement has real effect.
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Expanded digital food information services
From 2026 the “Food QR” system will expand to cover imported food, agricultural, livestock and seafood products. QR codes are expected to link to Korean labeling information beginning at local manufacturing and export stages for imported products, and a service that provides sign-language and audio labeling information when a consumer photographs a product will be introduced, improving accessibility for persons with visual or hearing impairments.
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The MFDS’s announcement signals not only stronger oversight but an institutional shift toward greater transparency of imported raw materials and stronger importer responsibilities. Foreign food companies should proactively review whether the HQ’s raw material specifications meet Korea’s new GMO labeling standards and unintended-admixture criteria. In particular, stronger document verification at customs and expanded origin-country on-site inspections may have a significant impact on the overall import processes. To help minimize legal risks associated with the implementation of the GMO Full-Labeling System, we will continue to provide prompt, accurate guidance as detailed guidelines are issued.
[Korean Version]
