Seoul, South Korea – The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced today that a recent inspection of 50 overseas-purchased food products marketed for sleep improvement and mood stabilization has revealed harmful substances in 14 items.
The inspection targeted products sold both domestically and internationally, focusing on those claiming to treat insomnia, improve sleep quality, and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. The substances tested for included narcotics (such as amphetamine and alprazolam), sleep-inducing agents (melatonin and midazolam), and antidepressants/anxiolytics (bupropion and diazepam).
Of the 50 products examined, 8 were labeled as sleep aids or treatments for sleep disorders, while 6 were marketed for treating depression or anxiety.
Among the harmful substances detected were 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), commonly found in tranquilizers, and "hubak," a botanical ingredient known to affect the digestive and nervous systems. Excessive consumption of 5-HTP can lead to adverse effects such as vomiting, nausea, behavioral disturbances, and abnormal mental functions.
Particularly concerning was the discovery of melatonin, a primary component of prescription sleep aids, in two products explicitly labeled as "melatonin-free."
In response to these findings, the Ministry has requested that the Korea Customs Service halt the clearance of the affected products and has asked the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block access to the online sales sites.
Consumers can verify the list of recalled products on the Food Safety Korea website (www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr) under the "Overseas Food Products" section.
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