5. Claim Requirements

Beers, RTDs, Whisky
South Korea

This section provides information on the definition of different types of claims and any restrictions or allowance of claims as well as claim registration processes.

5.1 Overview of Claims

5.1.1 Types & Definitions

Nutritional claims are claims using terms such as “low”, “free”, “high or rich” or “contains or source of” [4].

Functional claims are claims referring to achieving effects for health purposes, such as adjusting nutrients or having physiological actions related to the structure and function of the human body [5].

5.1.2 List of Prohibited Claims

General Food

Article 8 of the Food Labeling and Advertisement Act lists prohibited labeling or advertising of foods as provided below [1]:

1. Labels or advertisements that may be perceived as having efficacy in preventing or treating diseases.
2. Labels or advertisements that may be perceived as food being a pharmaceutical product.
3. Labels or advertisements that may lead to the perception that a non-health functional food is a health functional food.
4. False or exaggerated labels or advertisements.
5. Labels or advertisements that deceive consumers.
6. Labels or advertisements that disparage other businesses or their products.
7. Labels or advertisements that unfairly compare oneself or one's food with other businesses or their food without objective grounds.
8. Labels or advertisements that incite gambling or use obscene expressions, thereby significantly violating public morals or social ethics.
9. Labels or advertisements that use the same or similar names, trademarks, or containers/packaging as goods not defined as foods by Prime Minister's decree, which may cause confusion or misidentification with the said goods.
10. Labels or advertisements that have not been reviewed in accordance with Article 10(1) or that do not comply with the results of the review in violation of Article 10(4).

Category

Alcoholic drinks 

Please refer to "General Food" above. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.2 Nutritional Claims

5.2.1 Permitted Claims

General Food

Nutritional claims are permitted as per below [4]:

Category

Alcoholic drinks 

Alcoholic drinks do not require nutrition information labeling. However, when nutritional claims are made, nutrition information labeling is mandatory [4].

Nutritional claims are permitted as per "General Food" above. However, in practice, these products do not bear nutritional claims due to their specific labeling statement on alcohol (see Section 4.5).

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.2.2 Nutritional Claim Registration

General Food

(a) For nutritional claims that are already permitted for use: Nutritional Claim registration is not required.

(b) For nutritional claims that are not currently permitted for use: There is no process. 

Category

Alcoholic drinks 

Please refer to "General Food" above. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.3 Health Claims

5.3.1 Permitted Claims

General Food

Health (functional) claims are NOT permitted for "General Food" unless they meet the Regulations on the Indication or Advertising of Food Functions Not Considered Unfair Labeling or Advertising [6].  

Category

Alcoholic drinks

Health claims are NOT permitted. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.3.2 Health Claim Registration

General Food

(a) For health claims that are already permitted for use: Health (functional) claims that are permitted to be used must undergo prior review by the self-regulatory body. Since these claims are not allowed for alcoholic drinks, no further details are provided.

(b) For health claims that are not currently permitted for use: There is an approval process if the claim has not been approved. 

5.4 Other Notes or Requirements for Claims

None.

5.5 References

1. The Act on the Labeling and Advertising of Foods, etc. (Food Labeling and Advertising Act) revised on 18 Mar 2025

https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=269957&ancYd=20250318&ancNo=20826&efYd=20250919&nwJoYnInfo=N&efGubun=Y&chrClsCd=010202&ancYnChk=0-0000

2. Food Labelling and Advertising Act Enforcement Decree – revised on 2 Jul 2024

https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=263549&ancYd=20240702&ancNo=34663&efYd=20240703&nwJoYnInfo=Y&efGubun=Y&chrClsCd=010202&ancYnChk=0#0000

3. Food Labelling and Advertising Act Enforcement Rule – revised on 30 Dec 2024

https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=267855&ancYd=20241230&ancNo=02004&efYd=20260101&nwJoYnInfo=N&efGubun=Y&chrClsCd=010202&ancYnChk=0#0000

4. Standards for the Labelling of Foods, etc. – revised on 21 Apr 2025

https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000258070#AJAX

5. Health Functional Foods Act – revised on 23 Jan 2024

https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=259283&ancYd=20240123&ancNo=20138&efYd=20250103&nwJoYnInfo=Y&efGubun=Y&chrClsCd=010202&ancYnChk=0#0000

6. Regulations on the Indication or Advertising of Food Functions Not Considered Unfair Labeling or Advertising – revised on 17 Oct 2024

https://www.law.go.kr/LSW//admRulLsInfoP.do?chrClsCd=&admRulSeq=2100000248274