MFDS Suspends Sales and Recalls Japanese Health Supplements Containing Prohibited Food Ingredients

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 12th that it has confirmed the presence of the ingredient "Thai Kudzu," which is prohibited for use in food, in the Japanese health functional food "Umaregawaru" (product category Vitamin B1), and will suspend sales and initiate a recall.

Umaregawaru, which has been suspended from sale and recalled by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. [Photo by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety]

The recall targets products imported and sold by "Dongwoo CM" and "Odd Lab Bio Co., Ltd.," with expiration dates marked as February 2, 2025, and October 19, 2025. Each unit contains 30g, and the import quantity is 3,000 bottles (90kg) each.

Thai Kudzu has no evidence of being edible in Korea and is prohibited as a food ingredient due to side effects such as uterine enlargement caused by its estrogenic activity. It is used only under restrictions in Japan.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has taken measures to promptly recall the product and urged consumers who purchased the product to stop consumption and return it to the place of purchase.