rejectwatch

Countries of origin · 12 Nov 2026

Food from South Korea: safety alerts and border rejections

Every food safety notice we track for products from South Korea: EU RASFF alerts and border rejections, and the import refusals and recalls published by Japan, Australia, the US, the UK and Canada.

Notices, 12 months27prior 12 months: 18
Border rejections, 12 months5refused at the border
Top hazard, 3 yearsExcess iodine13 notices
Reported by3EU (RASFF), Australia, United States

Notices per month

EU (RASFF)United StatesAustralia
025710EU (RASFF), Nov 2022: 1NovAustralia, Dec 2022: 1Australia, Jan 2023: 1EU (RASFF), Feb 2023: 1Australia, Feb 2023: 1EU (RASFF), Apr 2023: 1EU (RASFF), May 2023: 2MayEU (RASFF), Jun 2023: 2EU (RASFF), Aug 2023: 1EU (RASFF), Nov 2023: 1NovEU (RASFF), Dec 2023: 5EU (RASFF), Jan 2024: 1EU (RASFF), Feb 2024: 2Australia, Feb 2024: 1EU (RASFF), Mar 2024: 1EU (RASFF), Apr 2024: 2Australia, Apr 2024: 1EU (RASFF), May 2024: 1Australia, May 2024: 1MayEU (RASFF), Jun 2024: 1Australia, Jul 2024: 1EU (RASFF), Oct 2024: 2EU (RASFF), Nov 2024: 1NovEU (RASFF), Dec 2024: 4EU (RASFF), Jan 2025: 2EU (RASFF), Mar 2025: 3MayEU (RASFF), Jun 2025: 1Australia, Jun 2025: 2EU (RASFF), Jul 2025: 1EU (RASFF), Aug 2025: 1EU (RASFF), Oct 2025: 3EU (RASFF), Nov 2025: 1Australia, Nov 2025: 1NovEU (RASFF), Dec 2025: 1EU (RASFF), Jan 2026: 1EU (RASFF), Feb 2026: 1EU (RASFF), Mar 2026: 2EU (RASFF), Apr 2026: 5EU (RASFF), May 2026: 3MayEU (RASFF), Jun 2026: 3EU (RASFF), Jul 2026: 4United States, Jul 2026: 2Australia, Jul 2026: 1EU (RASFF), Aug 2026: 1EU (RASFF), Sep 2026: 1Nov

Hazards, last 3 years

Excess iodine13Veterinary drug residues9Additives (unauthorised or over li6Undeclared allergen6Process and environmental contamin5Unauthorised novel food or GMO5E. coli3Norovirus2Spoilage1Mould1Pesticide residues1Cadmium1

Products, last 3 years

Prepared and snack foods11Fruit and vegetables9Sauces and seasonings6Beverages5Tea, coffee and cocoa3Confectionery and cocoa2Molluscs2Alcoholic drinks1Meat1Cereals and bakery1Crustaceans1Food supplements1

Producers named in border rejections

Beolgyocodfish Co.,Ltd 1Namdo General Food 1Dongwon F&B 1Chaemione Food 1OURHOME CO LTD 1Donghwa Food 1Yeosu Saegomak 1Keumkang B&F Ltd 1

Australia and Japan name the producer or shipper of each rejected consignment.

Latest notices

DateSourceProductHazardType
4 Sep 2026EUUnauthorized use of E338 and E516 in BeerAdditives (unauthorised or over limit)Border rejection · potential risk
12 Aug 2026EUjelly confectionery in mini cups - unauthorized additivesAdditives (unauthorised or over limit)Alert · serious
21 Jul 2026AUArk shell frozen cooked cockle meat
Beolgyocodfish Co.,Ltd
E. coli
7.5, <2.3, <2.3, <2.3, <2.3 MPN/g
Border rejection
8 Jul 2026EUGlycidyl esters in instant noodlesProcess and environmental contaminantsBorder rejection · potentially serious
8 Jul 2026EUGlycidyl esters in instant noodlesProcess and environmental contaminantsBorder rejection · potentially serious
7 Jul 2026EUHigh iodine content in seaweed snacks from South Korea, via the NetherlandsExcess iodineAlert · serious
6 Jul 2026EUPotential spoilage in cake from South KoreaSpoilageInformation · potential risk
1 Jul 2026USUltimate Mother's Day Wangshin Doenjang Aged 3 Years 9 oz. Korean Traditional Premium Soyb
JINA F&C
Undeclared allergenRecall · Class II
1 Jul 2026USFLOUNDER SASHIMI WITH SAUCE; Keep Frozen; Net WT: 300g; UPC: 8 809342 366186
Eunha Fisheries Co., LTD
Undeclared allergenRecall · Class II
29 Jun 2026EUConsignment possibly subject to veterinary checksVeterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
12 Jun 2026EUConsignment sauce from South Korea possibly subject to veterinary checksVeterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
11 Jun 2026EUNorovirus on frozen oysters from South KoreaNorovirusAlert · serious
26 May 2026EUallergen information for milk is missing from the label in popcornUndeclared allergenAlert · serious
13 May 2026EUConsignment frozen fried bean curd skipped veterinary controls in Border Control Post.Veterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
11 May 2026EUNorovirus in nori (roasted seaweed)NorovirusInformation · serious
30 Apr 2026EUMold in various rice cake cups from Korea via the NetherlandsMouldInformation · potential risk
29 Apr 2026EUGlycidyl esters in instant noodles with hot chicken carbonara flavour from South KoreaProcess and environmental contaminantsAlert · serious
27 Apr 2026EUpesticides in Korean yuzu imported via the NetherlandsPesticide residuesAlert · serious
17 Apr 2026EU3-MCPD in instant noodles with chicken flavour, from South KoreaProcess and environmental contaminantsAlert · potentially serious
13 Apr 2026EUCadmium in crab from South KoreaCadmiumInformation · not serious
10 Mar 2026EUUnauthorised novel food ginseng extract (Panax ginseng) in Tea from Republic of KoreaUnauthorised novel food or GMOInformation · potential risk
10 Mar 2026EUUnauthorised novel food Pteridium aquilinum from Republic of KoreaUnauthorised novel food or GMOInformation · potential risk
5 Feb 2026EUBacillus cereus in ready meals from South Korea, via GermanyBacillus cereusAlert · serious
8 Jan 2026EUUnauthorised consignment of Matcha latte imported without an official control at the bordeAdditives (unauthorised or over limit)Information · not serious
8 Dec 2025EUNon authorised additive (E171 Titanium dioxide) in candy from LithuaniaAdditives (unauthorised or over limit)Information · potential risk
14 Nov 2025EUHigh iodine content and labeling deficiencies in dried seaweed slices from Korea via the NExcess iodineAlert · serious
14 Nov 2025AUDried kelp (varech seche)
Namdo General Food
Excess iodine
3460 mg/kg
Border rejection
31 Oct 2025EUIngredientes alergénicos (avellana, soja y leche) no resaltados tipográficamente en bebidaUndeclared allergenInformation · potential risk
23 Oct 2025EUIncreased iodine content and labeling deficiencies in organic dried seaweed from South KorExcess iodineInformation · serious
15 Oct 2025EUUnauthorised substances gardenia yellow (E 164) and pullulan (E 1204) in food supplements Additives (unauthorised or over limit)Border rejection · not serious
21 Aug 2025EUPresence of glass foreign body in noodles from South KoreaForeign bodiesInformation · serious
1 Jul 2025EUIncreased taurine level in an energy drink from the Republic of Korea, via AustriaOtherInformation · potential risk
27 Jun 2025EUElevated Level of Monosodium Glutamate in Flavoured Ramen NoodlesOtherInformation · potential risk
6 Jun 2025AUCut sea tangle
Dongwon F&B
Excess iodine
4250 mg/kg
Border rejection
5 Jun 2025AUDried kelp
Chaemione Food
Excess iodine
5000 mg/kg
Border rejection
12 Mar 2025EUExceedance of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbon (MOAH) in instant noodles, from South-KoreaProcess and environmental contaminantsAlert · serious
6 Mar 2025EUNon-authorised novel food Raphanus sativus from South KoreaUnauthorised novel food or GMOInformation · potential risk
3 Mar 2025EUDetection of Dinotefuran in a batch of frozen yuzu juice from South KoreaOtherInformation · not serious
22 Jan 2025EUPescado con larvas procedente de Corea del Sur //Fish with parasites from South KoreaParasitesBorder rejection · not serious
3 Jan 2025EUConsignment Kimchi Skipped veterinary controls in Border Control PostVeterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
17 Dec 2024EUHigh iodine content in roasted seaweed from South Korea via the NetherlandsExcess iodineAlert · serious
17 Dec 2024EULack of highlighting of allergen in the ingredientlist and other non compliance labeling mUndeclared allergenInformation · potential risk
16 Dec 2024EUHigh iodine content in roasted seaweed from South Korea via the NetherlandsExcess iodineAlert · serious
2 Dec 2024EUInsufficient labeling of fried tofu pockets from South Korea, via the NetherlandsDocuments and labellingInformation · potential risk
15 Nov 2024EUConsignment curry's skipped veterinary controls in Border Control Post.Veterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
21 Oct 2024EUConsignment of Sauce (with milk) from South Korea passed border control post without necesVeterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
16 Oct 2024EUUnauthorised novel food Hoveia Dulcis in pear flavoured hangover BeverageUnauthorised novel food or GMOInformation · potential risk
1 Jul 2024AUMushroom perilla stew
OURHOME CO LTD
Other
n/a
Border rejection
26 Jun 2024EUToo high content of capsaicin in strong chili flavored noodlesOtherAlert · potentially serious
17 May 2024AUSpicy seasoned cockle
Donghwa Food
E. coli
9.3, 2.3, 4.3, 4.3, <2.3 MPN/g
Border rejection
16 May 2024EUConsignment of ready to eat noodles passed border control post without necessary veterinarVeterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
30 Apr 2024AUSpicy arkshell (clam) meat
Yeosu Saegomak
E. coli
2.3, 9.3, 46, 46, 24, MPN/g
Border rejection
22 Apr 2024EUAllergeni non evidenziati in Kimchi dalla Corea del Sud via Olanda/Allergens not underlineUndeclared allergenInformation · potential risk
5 Apr 2024EUHigh iodine content in seasoned seaweed from South KoreaExcess iodineInformation · potentially serious
25 Mar 2024EUPossible import of prohibited frozen veterinairy products from South KoreaOtherBorder rejection · potential risk
28 Feb 2024AUFruit drink
Keumkang B&F Ltd
Additives (unauthorised or over limit)
n/a
Border rejection
20 Feb 2024EUConsignment with buldak noodles carbonara- hot chicken ramen carbo flavour from South KoreVeterinary drug residuesInformation · not serious
2 Feb 2024EUPresencia de Organismos Modificados Genéticamente no identificados en preparaciones alimenUnauthorised novel food or GMOBorder rejection · potential risk
10 Jan 2024EUUnauthorised pesticide residue (chlorpyrifos) in black tea from South Korea.ChlorpyrifosBorder rejection · potentially serious
21 Dec 2023EUConsignment Rice Noodles skipped veterinairy checks in the BCP RotterdamOtherInformation · not serious