Global K-food popularity drives Neogen to bolster quality control for makers

Neogen Asia-Pacific Vice President Sohn Byoung-ik speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Neogen Korea

As Korean foods are increasingly gaining traction in global consumer markets, food quality control solution provider Neogen Korea is enhancing its role to meet the expanding demand, its Asia-Pacific vice president said Tuesday.

Established in 2022, following Neogen’s acquisition of 3M’s food safety division, the company emphasized the rising need for quality control in Korean food exports. It also underscored that food quality management is directly tied to global food security and can be further advanced through sustainability-focused practices, such as conserving energy and water and minimizing waste.

Neogen’s quality control solutions are now used in 140 countries to inspect for microorganisms, foodborne pathogens, mycotoxins and food allergens. Supported by advanced devices such as the Petrifilm Plate Reader and Molecular Detection System (MDS), the solutions allow food firms to conduct quality control testing on their products and raw ingredients more easily, accurately and rapidly.

Sohn Byoung-ik, vice president of Neogen Asia-Pacific, said that following its merger, the company has acquired 3M’s technological assets and product portfolio, cementing their leadership in the global food safety assurance market.

“We are increasingly gaining trust from the oldest and largest food firms in Korea. Our quality control measures are keeping up with fast-changing food safety trends,” Sohn said during a press conference in Seoul.

A diversifying food culture in Korea and the increasing popularity of Korean food across the globe have generated a spike in demand for faster and more reliable quality control solutions, according to Park Jun-young, Neogen Korea’s managing director.

Park said their Petrifilm Plate Reader can read from samples and see how far food contamination has progressed in just 6 seconds, while the MDS can detect the existence of Salmonella or Listeria bacteria in under an hour. The improved speed has increased convenience and lowered costs, he added.

“Food firms, with our solutions, can ensure quality of their products and prevent risks with more systemic and scientific assurance,” Park said.

Food consumption trends across the world are changing fast, and consumers’ expectations for food safety have become more demanding, forcing firms to ensure product quality, said Lee Kwang-won, professor at Korea University’s Department of Biotechnology and Food Science and head of the university’s laboratory of food biochemistry and toxicology.

“Food companies now must invest more in preventive quality control, rather than post-accident measures like product recall, because the former is less costly and more advantageous for keeping their brands’ reputation long-term,” Lee said.

“Different countries have different food import and export regulations, but they are commonly adjusting to global standards that are becoming stricter than before. Such an environment has made food safety management a key factor for food firms’ market competitiveness.”