This article was displayed on the ChosunBiz RM Report website at 5:21 a.m. on Jul. 10, 2026.
Starting at the end of this year with soy sauce products, labeling standards for genetically modified foods (GMO) will be strengthened in phases. Going forward, even if genetically modified DNA or protein is not detected in the final product, products must be labeled if they used genetically modified ingredients. The move aims to expand consumers' right to know and choice, but the food industry now needs comprehensive checks from verifying ingredients to replacing packaging and managing production processes.
◇ Applied to soy sauce at the end of this year
According to the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety on the 10th, the "labeling standards for genetically modified foods, etc." have been revised to include soy sauce, sugars, and edible oils and fats as items requiring GMO labeling. The core of the revision is that the basis for labeling will expand from "whether GMO components are detected in the final product" to "whether GMO ingredients were used." Under the previous system, even if genetically modified soybeans or corn approved for food use were used as materials and supplies, the product was exempt from GMO labeling if genetically modified DNA or protein did not remain in the final product after manufacturing and processing.
Representative categories include soy sauce, sugars, and edible oils and fats. During manufacturing processes such as fermentation or refining, genetically modified DNA or protein often does not remain in the final product. Because of this, there had been criticism that even if GMO ingredients were used, consumers could not tell whether such ingredients were used by looking only at the finished goods label.
However, going forward, products must be labeled if GMO ingredients were used, even if related components are not detected in the final product. The label must indicate that it is a genetically modified food on the principal display panel and information panel, or include wording that it contains genetically modified ingredients.
Oh Yu-Kyoung, head of the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, said, "By providing information on the use of GMO ingredients more transparently, this will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen consumers' right to know," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that consumers can choose foods with confidence through continuous system improvements going forward."
The implementation timeline varies by item. For soy sauce products such as Korean-style soy sauce, brewed soy sauce, acid-hydrolyzed soy sauce, enzyme-hydrolyzed soy sauce, and blended soy sauce, the revised standards will apply starting Dec. 31. For sugars such as starch syrup and oligosaccharides, and edible oils and fats such as soybean oil, tallow, and margarine, labeling will be required starting Dec. 31 next year.
◇ Burden of replacing packaging and managing ingredients
The food industry must review ingredient use details for each product. Products that used GMO ingredients must reflect the labeling text in time for implementation. As a result, replacing labels and packaging is cited as a cost factor. It could affect design, print orders, and logistics schedules.
If non-genetically modified foods (Non-GMO) are used, securing ingredients stably is also a task. Non-GMO ingredients are often more expensive than general ingredients and have more limited supply. If supply becomes unstable due to international grain prices, climate change, or crop conditions in major producing regions, manufacturing costs could rise. A food industry official said, "For existing products using GMO ingredients, we will likely consider operating them in line with labeling standards while maintaining price competitiveness, and differentiating products using Non-GMO ingredients as a premium line."
There are also concerns in the industry that the Non-GMO labeling standard does not match reality. To use Non-GMO wording under current standards, GMO components must not be detected. However, for agricultural products, it is difficult to completely rule out the possibility of trace admixture during cultivation, harvest, transport, and storage, and thus, if even a small amount of GMO component is detected in the final product, it could be deemed a violation of the labeling standard.
From a company's perspective, even if it uses more expensive Non-GMO ingredients, it may be unable to label this on the product or may be reluctant to label at all. The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said, "To minimize on-site confusion following the implementation of the system, we plan to continue support and communication, including holding briefings for the industry and preparing guidance materials."