Healthy Homes Asia

Organically processed foods in Korea are defined as those foods using organic methods to process organic ingredients (organic agricultural and livestock products etc.), and that have been certified as being ‘organic' through procedures stipulated in the Food Industry Promotion Act (FIPA).

Food has been processed by ‘organic methods' when the use of chemical additives is minimized, when the food has not been treated with radiation, and when the processing of the food is undertaken in a manner that prevents any contact with non-organic ingredients or pollutants.

‘Organic methods' therefore protect the integrity of the organic ingredients throughout whole process.

Growing concern

In 2007, a Korea Food Research Institute study found that 88 per cent of domestic organic farm products had been marked as organic by their manufacturers, not the Korean government. At that time, organic products in Korea did not require government certification, resulting in such abuse. In June 2009, the government enacted the Food Industry Promotion Act to protect against such abuse and address public concern.

What to look for (certification and labels)

Organic (and other agriculturally) certified businesses must place labels on their certified products showing the following:
1) Organic (product name)
2) name of the certification authority; and
3) certification number. A more detailed explanation on the requirements for the label shall soon be announced in the form of a MIFAFF Minister's Announcement. The certification labels (marks, see below) have been used since January 1, 2010.

Certification process and organisations Any person or company seeking to label or sell processed foods as 'certified organic' must receive certification from an authority designated by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MIMAFF). Currently, overseas certifications are still recognised. From 2011 all overseas organic imports must have also received Korean certification.

The certification authority visits the business site of the person seeking certification to ensure that all requirements of certification are met, and then issues a certificate confirming that the food is organically processed.

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service is responsible for carrying out inspections to ensure that the certification authorities are performing their certification activities in strict compliance with the Food Industry Promotion Act, and that certified businesses are complying with all relevant regulations and statutes.

Organic certification authorities (as of 25 Jan 2010)

Korea Food Research Institute
designated date 08.12.24
516 Backheon-dong Bundang Seongnam, Gyeonggi province
031-780-9153
(http://www.kfri.re.kr/)

Doalnara Certified Organic Korea, LLC
designated date 09.03.12
2F Jangyang Agricultural Association 192-3 Jangyang-ri Sochomyeon Wonju Gangwon province
033-732-4234
(http://dcok.systemdcok.or.kr/)

Association for global organic foods producers
designated date 09.06.11
(Kyungbuk Agriculature research institute) 492-4 Dongho-dong Buk-gu Daegu City
053-326-9895
(http://www.greenorganic.net/)

Control Union
designated date 09.06.24
Meeuwenlaan 4-6, 8011 BZ, P.O Box 161, 8000 AD, Zwolle, The Netherlands
+31-38-4260100
(http://www.controlunion.co.kr/con)

ECOCERT SA
designated date 09.08.19
BP47 F - 32600 L'Isle Jourdain France
+33-5-62-07-34-24

If you can't find what you need locally, then visit our affiliate store Credence (www.credence.org), which offers a wide organic range including quinoa, brazil nuts and other items not yet commonly found in Asia.

• Pulmuone - claim to follow the '3 no's: no preservatives, no colouring, no chemical additives

Also read this Korea Herald article for more information.