South Korean authorities consider hair health claims on functional foods

Currently, the HFF is allowed to make eight claims regarding liver function, bone and joint health, eye, gastrointestinal, skin health, body fat reduction, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and enhancing urinary function. increase.

The country’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on July 21 issued an evaluation guide for the development of HFFs with hair health claims.

According to the guide, hair health claims that are allowed include improving hair shine, and improving hair elasticity or diameter.

However, claims such as promoting hair growth or preventing hair loss are excluded as they are considered therapeutic claims.

Therefore, the test should be designed so that there are no significant differences between the intervention and control groups with respect to age, hair length and degree of hair damage.

Instead, tests should be designed to find improvements in hair elasticity or diameter or thickness, improvements in hair shine between intervention and control groups.

Over a period of at least 24 weeks, testing must be conducted in men and women between the ages of 18 and 60.

On the other hand, basic research such as in vitro tests and animal models should explain the mechanism of action and physiological effects of functional ingredients, rather than just showing improvements in hair health.

“MFDS hopes that this evaluation guide will be an opportunity to revitalize the development of raw materials for healthy functional foods related to hair health, and will continue to provide new functional evaluation guides that reflect the development needs of the industry. It’s a schedule.” the ministry said.