Strengthening Management of Overseas Direct-Purchase Foods Containing Narcotics
The amendment to the "Special Act on the Safety Management of Imported Food," which includes provisions for the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to directly purchase and inspect overseas direct-purchase foods that may contain narcotic raw materials or ingredients, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on that day, five legislative amendments under the jurisdiction of the Ministry, including the Special Act on the Safety Management of Imported Food, passed the National Assembly plenary session.
First, under the amendment to the "Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, etc.," the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety can request information and communication service providers who have illegally or unfairly labeled or advertised foods online to notify consumers of such facts.
Additionally, the amendment to the "Framework Act on Food Safety" established a basis for scientifically predicting the degree of risk by collecting and analyzing food hazard information.
The Special Act on the Safety Management of Imported Food was also amended. Accordingly, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will directly purchase and inspect overseas direct-purchase foods that may contain narcotic raw materials or ingredients and disclose related information.
The "Narcotics Control Act" and the "Act on Risk Assessment of Human Application Products" were also amended.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will link prescription software used by medical institutions with the Narcotics Integrated Management System to support doctors in easily checking patients' narcotics prescription histories.
A basis was also established to allow the formation of a working council to strengthen cooperation with other related central administrative agencies and to efficiently operate the Risk Assessment Policy Committee.
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