Food Manufacturing Business License in Korea — 2026 Complete Guide

1. What Is a Food Manufacturing Business?

Any company that manufactures, processes, or packages food products for sale in Korea must obtain a food manufacturing and processing business license from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) under the Food Sanitation Act.

2. Regulatory Authority

The local government (city/county/district) processes applications on behalf of the MFDS. Separate HACCP certification may also be required depending on the product category.

3. Facility Requirements

• Dedicated manufacturing area separated from non-food zones
• Hand-washing facilities with hot water
• Pest control and waste management systems
• Temperature-controlled storage where required
• Separate raw material and finished product storage

4. Required Documents

• Business license application form
• Floor plan of manufacturing facility
• Proof of ownership or lease of facility
• Water quality test report (if using private water source)
• Facility inspection checklist

5. Application Procedure

1. Pre-consultation with local health authority
2. Facility construction/renovation to meet standards
3. Document preparation and submission
4. On-site facility inspection
5. License issuance

6. Timeline and Costs

Processing typically takes 7–14 business days after facility inspection passes. No government fee, but facility upgrades and scrivener fees are the main costs.