Do Not Use the Term 'Mayakryu' in Food Product Names

Educational Activities Conducted at 179 Establishments, Including Restaurants

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) will undertake educational activities to reduce the use of the term 'narcotics' in business names, product names, and other areas within the food industry.

On the 3rd, the MFDS announced that it will conduct educational activities throughout February at 179 establishments, including restaurants using terms related to narcotics, in cooperation with six regional food and drug safety offices.

The MFDS has been recommending that business operators avoid using narcotics and similar expressions in food labeling and advertising to raise social awareness about narcotics in daily life.* It has also promoted various public relations activities annually in collaboration with local governments and related organizations.

This initiative involves the six regional food and drug safety offices visiting restaurants that use 'narcotics'-related terms in their business or product names to explain the purpose of the regulation and recommend changing the terms. Additionally, they will provide information about support programs for costs related to changing signage, menus, or packaging to encourage active participation from the industry.

The MFDS stated that it will continue to conduct administrative guidance in collaboration with local governments, industry, and consumer groups to reduce the commercial use of narcotics-related terms in food and other products.