11 Types of Narcotics Detected in 22 Overseas Direct Purchase Foods: "Import Blocked"

Ministry Inspects 32 Products, Including Jellies, Beverages, and Dietary Supplements
Narcotic Substances Such as Cannabis and Mesembrine Detected

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has detected narcotic ingredients such as cannabis and mesembrine in imported foods purchased directly from overseas through a targeted inspection. These narcotics were also found in jelly and beverages that can be easily mistaken for ordinary food, highlighting the need for heightened consumer vigilance.

Foods containing narcotic ingredients detected in overseas direct-purchase products disclosed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 22nd. Photo by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

The ministry announced on the 22nd that, after purchasing and testing 32 imported food products sold on overseas online shopping platforms, 22 products were found to contain a total of 11 types of narcotic substances, including THC (a cannabis component), mesembrine, and mitragynine.

This inspection was carried out for the first time based on the legal grounds established by the revised Special Act on Imported Food Safety Management, which took effect in January this year. The ministry selected investigation targets focusing on online shops in countries where cannabis use is legal, as well as overseas online platforms suspected of containing narcotics such as cannabis.

During the investigation, the ministry directly purchased 32 products suspected of containing narcotics, analyzing product names and advertisements for terms and images such as 'Cannabis,' 'Hemp,' and 'Kanna.' They then tested for 55 types of narcotic ingredients—including cannabis components, amphetamines, mesembrine, and mitragynine—as well as checked for 312 types of ingredients and substances prohibited from being brought into the country.

As a result, narcotic ingredients were detected in 22 out of the 32 products. Some products were found to contain, in their labeling, not only the temporary narcotic mesembrine but also pharmaceutical ingredients such as theobromine and L-dopa, muira puama, and catuaba, the last of which is a prohibited ingredient.

Notably, mesembrine—a temporary narcotic—was detected in 9 out of 12 products that used kanna as a raw material. The ministry explained that following a case last year where mesembrine was found in dietary supplements via overseas risk information, it designated mesembrine as a priority ingredient for import restriction and developed an analytical method, which was applied during this inspection.

Of the items found to contain narcotics, there were 9 dietary supplements, 6 jellies, 5 beverages, and 1 each of chocolate and cookies. The ministry noted that since jellies and beverages can be consumed as easily as ordinary foods, there is significant concern for consumer harm.

Additionally, most of the problematic products did not indicate their country of manufacture or manufacturer, suggesting the possibility of illegal production and distribution. Of the 22 products, 15 lacked information about their manufacturing country, 6 were from the United States, and 1 was from Germany.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has asked the Korea Customs Service to suspend customs clearance of the detected products. It also requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block access to the online sales websites and asked the National Institute of Technology and Standards to block the sale of hazardous products. To inform consumers, the ministry released the product names, manufacturers, hazardous ingredients, and photos through the ‘Overseas Direct Purchase Food Right’ website. Currently, consumers can check information on 4,761 hazardous overseas foods whose importation into Korea is blocked, including the 22 products flagged in this investigation, via the ‘Overseas Direct Purchase Food Right’ platform.

The ministry emphasized, "Even food products purchased overseas for personal consumption can be harmful due to hazardous ingredients," and urged, "Before making a purchase, consumers should always check through ‘Overseas Direct Purchase Food Right’ to verify whether the product is restricted for import into Korea, and must refrain from buying any item registered as hazardous." The ministry added, "Bringing into Korea or consuming overseas direct-purchase foods that contain cannabis or similar ingredients may result in criminal penalties under the Narcotics Control Act," warning consumers to exercise caution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.