Gov't to prohibit drug-related terms in food labeling

A sign advertising "narcotic gimbap" aiming to highlight its addictive taste is displayed at a market stall in central Seoul's Gwangjang Market. Korea Times file photo

Starting July, references to narcotics in food products and brand names will be prohibited so as to discourage people from making light of drugs and drug use.

Business owners who fail to comply may face the suspension of their business, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

A coffee shop in Seoul's Mapo District recently garnered attention by promoting marijuana coffee, made from hemp seeds which are free from psychoactive agents.

While marijuana leaves, stems and seed husks are outlawed and cannot be used in food, hemp seeds with the husks completely removed are legally allowed to be used as food materials.

However, it raised concerns due to the cafe’s positive association of its product with actual marijuana.

It features images of marijuana leaves on its menus, giving the impression that they are used in its coffee. The interior of the cafe is also decorated with green plants and purple lights, creating an ambiance reminiscent of marijuana cultivation.

Cakes are adorned with leaves resembling marijuana, contributing to its perceived association with the drug.

Online reviews by visitors expressed that the cafe creates the atmosphere of a store that sells illegal drugs.

Even though it is a legitimate establishment, the government is concerned that such stores may inadvertently emphasize drug-related imagery, stimulating curiosity and potentially misleading consumers.

The term “narcotic” is also often used in the names of foods and brands in Korea, such as narcotic gimbap and narcotic tteokbokki, to highlight the addictive taste and create a lasting impression on consumers.

In response, the food and drug safety ministry revised a bill this month, aiming to prohibit drug-related terms in food labeling and advertising, scheduled to be implemented this July.

This measure aims to prevent narcotic-related terms from being portrayed positively in everyday life, and raise social awareness about drugs, according to the ministry.

Restaurants using narcotic-related terms must alter their names to remove drug-related words. Ads featuring hemp leaves or psychedelic content will also be scrutinized.

The ministry intends to request local governments to implement administrative measures against companies engaged in promoting such ads if necessary.

Citizens are showing mixed reactions to this measure.

“Regulating these terms seems necessary as the growing concern over drug abuse among teenagers continues to escalate,” said an office worker surnamed Jung, whose child is an elementary school student.

However, Lee Jeong-wook, a university student, said, “From a certain perspective, it seems like an excessive form of suppression, as people know that the inclusion of the term 'narcotic' in food names does not necessarily imply the presence of actual drugs in the food.”