South Korea's food and drug regulator is cracking down on food products using names that evoke popular obesity medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced it will conduct a special inspection from May 5 to 19 targeting food products that use names similar to obesity treatments or advertise effects comparable to pharmaceuticals.
Cases of food products being sold on online shopping malls and social media platforms using phrases such as "Wegovy effect" or "similar to Mounjaro" have been increasing recently. Concerns have been raised that some products use names resembling obesity medications, potentially causing consumers to confuse them with actual drugs.
During the inspection, the ministry will focus on verifying labeling and advertising violations by food manufacturers claiming obesity treatment effects and will strengthen monitoring of online sales postings. Companies that advertise their products as having effects identical or similar to pharmaceuticals will face administrative penalties, and the ministry plans to block relevant online postings and sales websites.
The ministry urged consumers to exercise caution, noting that foods not approved as pharmaceuticals are unlikely to deliver the treatment effects claimed in advertisements.
The government is also pursuing regulatory reforms. The ministry is working to amend the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods to restrict the use of names similar to prescription drug names. A final proposal is expected to be completed in the first half of this year after gathering input from related organizations.
"This measure is intended to prevent consumer harm from misleading advertisements that make foods appear to be pharmaceuticals," a ministry official said. "We will continue to strengthen inspections against false and exaggerated advertising that threatens public health."
