On the 22nd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it implemented measures to block the import of 14 overseas direct purchase foods that advertised effectiveness in improving and treating insomnia and sleep disorders as well as depression and anxiety.

In August of last year, a Seoul Food and Drug Administration employee reveals products that contain ingredients that are subject to import restrictions in South Korea among overseas direct purchase foods that claim effects of diet and body shape change. /Courtesy of News1

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on that day, a planned inspection was conducted on 50 consumer interest products for winter among directly purchased foods sold on domestic and international online shopping malls. The Ministry reported that 14 products contained ingredients and components subject to import blocking, which led to the ban on bringing them into the country.

Inspection items include ingredients related to the efficacy and effects of improving insomnia and anti-anxiety, such as ▲ controlled substances (amphetamine, alprazolam, etc.) ▲ sleep-inducing ingredients (melatonin, midazolam, etc.) ▲ antidepressant and anti-anxiety ingredients (bupropion, diazepam, etc.). The Ministry also checked whether the products displayed any ingredients that are subject to import blocking.

The inspection results revealed that eight products claiming to improve insomnia and sleep disorders and six products claiming antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects contained prescription-required pharmaceutical ingredients and harmful ingredients that cannot be used as food materials.

'5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP),' which is mainly used in sedatives, and 'magnolia bark,' which affects the digestive and nervous systems, were identified. It is known that '5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)' can cause side effects such as vomiting, nausea, behavioral disorders, and abnormal mental function if overdosed without a professional prescription, and 'magnolia bark' is known to put strain on the kidneys in cases of abuse.

In particular, in two products claiming to improve insomnia and sleep disorders marked as 'melatonin free,' the professional drug ingredient 'melatonin' was detected, requiring consumers to exercise special caution when selecting products.

The Ministry cautioned, "There is a risk of harm from harmful ingredients in overseas direct purchase foods purchased by individuals for personal consumption," and urged that "consumers must check whether the products contain ingredients subject to import blocking on the 'Overseas Direct Purchase Food Proper Usage Website' before purchasing, and should not buy products registered as harmful overseas direct purchase foods, nor should they sell or use them for business purposes."

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.