MFDS Reassesses 9 Functional Ingredients Including Banaba Leaf Extract

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 12th that it will conduct a re-evaluation of nine types of functional ingredients in health functional foods, including Banaba leaf extract, this year.

The re-evaluation targets include six "notified ingredients": Banaba leaf extract, Ginkgo leaf extract, octacosanol-containing oil, phosphatidylserine, guar gum and hydrolyzed guar gum, and theanine; two nutritional components: vitamin B6 and vitamin C; and one individually recognized ingredient: natto culture extract.

The Ministry selects re-evaluation targets through the Health Functional Food Deliberation Committee from among functional ingredients that have been recognized for health functional foods for over 10 years or have new information related to safety and functionality.

For ingredients that complete the re-evaluation, based on the results, the recognition of functionality may be canceled or measures such as warnings for consumption and changes to the daily intake amount may be implemented.