Sabinsa Forslean Receives Korean FDA Approval, Health Claim

Korea enjoys a higher level of disposable income than many of its neighbors, and is a very desirable market, although entry into the market does not happen easily. Health claim regulations were tightened under Korea's Functional Health Foods law, which took effect in 2004.

19/06/09 Sabinsa Corporation ingredient ForsLean has been formally registered with the Korean FDA as a Functional Health Food Ingredient, with the official permission number 2009-47. This gives an additional vote of confidence to Sabinsa’s safety data and opens up an important market.

The extensive process to receive approval has been ongoing for nearly two years. To obtain the KFDA registration, Sabinsa submitted a complete dossier on ForsLean including required safety and other toxicological data. This approval allows Sabinsa’s partner, CheilJedang Corporation (CJ), a global company founded in 1953, to promote ForsLean in the Korean market with a specific health claim, which is: “reduces body fat” with a recommended dosage of 500 mg.

Korea enjoys a higher level of disposable income than many of its neighbors, and is a very desirable market, although entry into the market does not happen easily. Health claim regulations were tightened under Korea's Functional Health Foods law, which took effect in 2004.

CJ was originally part of Samsung group, but separated into a separate entity in the 1990’s. Its main products have been processed foods and retail & distribution. CJ and Sabinsa are working together to create a marketing program in Korea for ForsLean utilizing the new health claim.

In keeping with Sabinsa’s policy of protecting its extensive portfolio of intellectual property, the process of Trade Mark registration of ForsLean in Korea is already well underway.