This article was published on April 13, 2025, at 5:21 a.m. on the ChosunBiz RM Report site.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) arbitrarily interpreted the Food Code, leading to a suspension of sales and a recall of some ingredients, which was later reversed after two weeks. The Food Code is a regulation that contains standards and specifications to ensure the safety and quality of food throughout the entire process of food raw materials, production, and distribution.
The issue is that approximately 10 food companies nationwide that use the relevant raw materials for production have been thrown into confusion due to the MFDS's inconsistent administration. JBF, an agricultural corporation, has been operating as a family business for two generations, but because of this incident, it has been stigmatized as a seller of harmful substances.
According to the MFDS and the food industry on the 23rd, JBF received a suspension and recall notice from the MFDS on the 2nd regarding the mineral drink 'ENA Active Mineral A', which used squid bones as an ingredient. The MFDS determined that the squid bones used as a raw material were classified as a 'non-edible part.' A non-edible part refers to parts of food raw materials that cannot be consumed, like eggshells.
The problem is that JBF has been producing its products in accordance with the Food Code for the past 23 years. According to the Food Code, the entire squid, excluding the internal organs, can be used as food raw material.
The food raw materials list operated by the MFDS specifies this more accurately. The squid bones are registered under the raw material code 'A3000058070000' in the food raw materials list.
In this regard, the MFDS stated, 'Although the entire squid, excluding the internal organs, is indeed a food raw material, the squid bones were judged to be a part that is not commonly consumed.' Additionally, the raw materials list is supposedly of no significance as it is directly registered by the companies.
On the other hand, JBF argued, 'The MFDS suddenly took action based on the interpretation of what is 'commonly consumed.' We have been producing this product for 23 years, and it was already registered as a food raw material, so we have never directly registered it as a food raw material. This means it has been utilized as a food raw material for a long time.'
As JBF actively sought to clarify the situation following the MFDS's measures, the MFDS retracted the suspension and recall measures on the 18th, just two weeks after they were implemented, stating that 'after reviewing the edible basis and safety data submitted by the company, we concluded that there are no issues with using it for calcium supplementation.'
In the food industry, it is pointed out that the MFDS suddenly issued a suspension and recall of a food raw material that has been used for over 20 years as being 'not commonly consumed.' If such suspension and recall measures are wrongly issued, small agricultural corporations could face deteriorating management and even bankruptcy.
There is also controversy over the level of punishment JBF received. The MFDS divides recall grades into first, second, and third levels, considering factors such as the type of harmful elements, the extent of the harm to human health, and the severity of the violations.
A first-grade measure involves stopping sales and recalling products within 15 days, applicable in cases where pharmaceuticals or foods pose a threat to safety or must be recalled immediately. It indicates a serious level of action that can be used when it appears there could be severe side effects, death, the introduction of harmful ingredients, or labeling errors that could impact life.
Regarding this, an official from the MFDS explained, 'According to the recall guidelines for hazardous foods, if a non-edible part that is unsuitable for consumption is used as a food raw material, it is classified as first grade.'
A source from the food industry who requested anonymity stated, 'The issue is whether it is justifiable to classify a raw material that has been used as food for a long time as a suddenly 'non-edible part.'
Hah Sang-du, a professor in the Department of Food Engineering at Chung-Ang University, stated, 'Considering that squid bones have been used as food raw materials for a long time and are not newly registered materials, even though there is interpretative controversy, it would have been better for the MFDS to communicate adequately with the company before issuing a first-grade suspension and recall.'
Hwa Se-kyung, the CEO of JBF, remarked, 'We have only used raw materials that are formally registered according to the standards established by the MFDS. The problematic squid bones are not just any ingredients; they are healthy and safe natural food raw materials verified for over 23 years, yet we have been suddenly stigmatized as selling food made from inedible raw materials.' She expressed hope that the MFDS would apologize for this matter.