Gov't tightens import guidelines for OEM food

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- The government said Friday that it will impose tougher
sanitation rules for food imported under an original equipment manufacturing
(OEM) arrangement between local companies and their overseas suppliers.

The rules that aim to protect local consumers from substandard food will make it
mandatory for South Korean companies to check sanitation conditions of their
overseas suppliers and plants so the production process meets standards, the
Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said.
The measures come as imports made by some foreign companies and sold under local
brand names and those manufactured at plants operated by South Korean companies
have been found to make poor quality goods.
Since consumers only see the product label and usually do not check the
country-of-origin, many think such imports are locally made.
In the past, problems with several cookies and side dishes such as kimchi
imported from countries like China and sold under South Korean brand names have
been found to have quality problems that forced Seoul to issue consumer
advisories and recalls. Animal and insect parts have been found in some crackers
while others were found to contain ingredients that are banned for use in food.
Under the revised rules, importers that buy products under an OEM arrangement
must check plants that make their food at least once an year and ensure that all
conditions meet KFDA guidelines.
"The check list includes quality control for materials used to make food,
production facilities and the process of making goods, as well as quality control
measures over finished products," a health official said.
The official said that companies that meet such requirements will be designated
as "model" businesses. This designation will exempt products made by such firms
from being checked randomly when brought into the country.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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