Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea is the primary government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing the safety and quality of products such as food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and health supplements. Formerly known as the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), it was renamed MFDS in 2013 to emphasize its regulatory functions beyond just food and drug safety, extending to other health-related products. The role of MFDS in South Korea covers a wide range of areas, with its main responsibilities including: (1) Approval and regulation of medical devices; (2) Safety monitoring and supervision of products; (3) Review and approval of pharmaceuticals and vaccines; (4) Regulation of food and cosmetics; (5) Oversight of health supplements and functional foods.