The government announced today (August 14) that the narcotic component 'tapentadol' has been detected in an overseas directly purchased food product, leading to its designation and public notification as an item blocked from entering the country.

The Incheon Airport Customs analysis office notified the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) that tapentadol was detected in a product named "TAWON LIAR" shipped from France via international mail, prompting the ministry to add it to the list of items banned from domestic entry.

Consequently, products containing tapentadol cannot be brought into South Korea, and their distribution through overseas direct purchases is also prohibited.

The product had previously been listed as a harmful food item due to the detection of the pharmaceutical ingredient 'dexamethasone', and it has now been confirmed to have been modified to include narcotic components, according to the MFDS.

Tapentadol is a substance that can cause life-threatening or fatal respiratory depression, and it is designated as a narcotic under the Narcotics Control Act.

In addition to tapentadol, other ingredients and components blocked from domestic entry in overseas direct-purchase foods include 'evodiamine', 'benproperine', and 'mefenamic acid'.

An official from the MFDS stated, "We will continuously expand inspections on overseas direct-purchase foods suspected of containing harmful ingredients such as narcotics."

(Photo provided by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yonhap News)