Weight loss products lead Korean approvals

Body fat burning products intended for weight loss were the largest portion of recent Korea Food and Drug Administration functional foods authorisations.

According to The Korea Times, the KFDA authorised 27 products that allegedly help burn body fats for sale last year, out of a total of 97 functional foods.

Twenty-four of the products contained an extract from Garcinia Camboginia, which contains the compound hydroxycitric acid (HCA), said to accelerate metabolism and help in weight-loss diets.

Other functional food getting the KFDA’s authorisations included products that benefits liver, joints and bones, prostate and large intestine health.

The Korea Times quotes KFDA researcher Lee Hye-young: “Functional foods are diversifying as more are getting authorized to improve people's health. This reflects what people need at the moment.”