HomeIndustry InsightsSouth Korea Proposes Updates to Food Contact Material Regulations: Recycled PP Allowed, Stricter Limits for Children's Rubber Products

South Korea Proposes Updates to Food Contact Material Regulations: Recycled PP Allowed, Stricter Limits for Children's Rubber Products

2026-03-06

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published proposals in January to amend the country's Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages. One proposal would permit the use of recycled polypropylene (PP) in food contact applications while introducing new chemical restrictions for other plastics. A second proposal tightens migration limits for rubber and silicone products intended for infants and children.

Recycled PP Proposal: Clear Rules for Processing and Quality

The amendment establishes requirements for processing, quality assurance, testing, and approvals for recycled PP, including standards for certifying mechanically recycled polypropylene. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food contact materials would also face new restrictions: no detectable di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in any PVC article, and no detectable di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) in PVC films. These changes follow a 2024 study showing PVC films release more chemicals than other plastics, with hormone-disrupting effects.

Rubber and Silicone Proposal: Stricter Standards for Children's Products

Products made of rubber or silicone that may come into contact with an infant's or child's mouth would be reclassified under stricter standards previously applied only to pacifiers. The new rules would lower the total migration limit to 40 mg/L, with even tighter specific limits for lead (10 mg/L) and zinc (1 mg/L).

Public Consultation

Public comments on both proposals are accepted until March 9, 2026, with World Trade Organization members given until March 12, 2026, to provide input.

Additional Plastic Reduction Measures

South Korea is implementing further food contact-related measures in 2026, including a fee for disposable plastic cups and a ban on plastic labels for bottled water effective January 1, 2026.

Source

1. South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announcements, January 2026.

2. Food Packaging Forum, South Korea proposes changes to plastic and rubber food contact standards