The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) launched a public awareness campaign to commemorate the 25th Food Safety Day, aiming to increase public understanding and interest in food safety. Their strategy focuses on four core values: safety, innovation, growth, and everyday life. By strengthening smart safety management systems based on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, the MFDS aims to boost the global competitiveness of K-food and drive industrial growth.
MFDS Commissioner Pledges to Drive K-Food Growth and Create a World Where Safety is Part of Daily Life
According to a News1 report on Friday, the MFDS held a commemorative ceremony and events for the 25th Food Safety Day on Thursday at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and nearby Seoul Plaza. This annual event, hosted by the MFDS and organized by the Korea Food Industry Association and the Korea Consumer Agency, aims to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and promote a healthy food culture. It has been celebrated every year on May 14 since 2002.
This year’s event attracted over 300 key stakeholders from the food industry, consumer organizations, and academia. Notably, Hilde Kruse, the senior officer from the Codex Alimentarius Commission, also participated, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in food safety. In Seoul Plaza, 33 food safety promotional booths operated under the key themes of safety, innovation, growth, and daily life, with participation from the government, businesses, and relevant organizations.
In her speech at the event, MFDS Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung stated that food safety has become a core value that connects the public’s daily lives with the future of the industry. The meticulous safety measures have now merged with innovative technologies like physical AI. By combining innovation with safety, they’ve built trust globally. The MFDS will continue to engage with consumers and stakeholders to create a world where food safety is an integral part of daily life, alongside its focus on safety, innovation, and growth.
Park Jin-sun, President of the Korea Food Industry Association, remarked that the food industry is at the forefront of the AI revolution. Technological advancements, such as AI-driven smart manufacturing and personalized nutrition design, present significant opportunities to enhance K-food’s international competitiveness. These innovations will strengthen the safety systems and support the global growth of K-food through collaboration among government, businesses, and consumers.
The promotional booths showcased various food safety management policies, from food traceability systems to measures blocking the sale of unsafe foods. They also highlighted digital innovations like AI-based import safety electronic inspections (SAFE-i24) and Food QR codes. Products from major K-food export companies were on display, along with food safety policies closely related to daily life, such as sodium and sugar reduction initiatives.
The MFDS is leveraging AI to revolutionize safety management. They’ve implemented the SAFE-i24 system to automatically inspect and approve safe food imports. This innovation allows for 24/7 document inspections, reducing processing times from up to 48 hours to just 5 minutes. Last year alone, they processed approximately 120,000 automatic approvals.
Looking ahead, the MFDS plans to implement an AI Risk Prediction System for targeted inspections of high-risk imported foods. They’re also developing an AI Foreign Substance Detector to improve the accuracy of identifying contaminants in meat products. Additionally, they’re building an AI Food Hazard Prediction and Response System, utilizing predictive models for ten food safety hazards, including Salmonella, to proactively address potential risks.
The MFDS is expanding the Food QR system, which provides easy mobile access to food safety and health information. They’re also working to include consumption dates in this system. Essential information like product names, consumption dates, and allergens will be prominently displayed on packaging, while additional details can be accessed via QR codes. This approach maximizes transparency in food distribution while protecting public health and consumer rights.
The agency is also expanding Smart HACCP, an intelligent food safety management system that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to automatically record and manage Critical Control Points (CCPs) data in real-time. Furthermore, they’re implementing Global HACCP to address intentional fraud and food defense, enhancing overall food safety management.
In response to supply concerns over disposable plastic utensils and containers due to Middle East conflicts, there’s been an increase in reusable container use. The MFDS is supporting cleaning companies in managing the safety of these items, which include trays, dishware, cups, and delivery containers designed for multiple uses. They’ve recently published hygiene management guidelines for reusable container cleaning companies and are currently conducting related training.
The MFDS emphasized that healthy eating should be accessible to everyone. It’s committed to creating a comprehensive safety net that leaves no one behind. They stressed their ongoing efforts to strengthen food safety administration, integrating the values of safety, innovation, growth, and daily life. The primary focus remains on public well-being, and it’s dedicated to ensuring a healthy future for K-food that garners global trust, they added.
