The certification confirms that Serim Hyumi Co. Ltd.’s facility and its four rice bran products are Vegan, free from animal ingredients, and cruelty-free .

Seoul, South Korea (February 27, 2023) – NSF, a leading public health and safety organization, today announced that Serim Hyunmi Co., Ltd. (Serim Hyunmi), a South Korean rice bran oil company, has successfully gained certification to the BeVeg Vegan standard for its manufacturing facility and four of its rice bran products, validating claims that they are vegan, free from animal ingredients and cruelty-free. 

“Serim Hyunmi is our first client in both South Korea and the greater Asia Pacific region to receive certification from NSF to the BeVeg Vegan standard,” said Kathy Yang, APAC Product Certification Lead/Regional Director of South Korea, NSF.  “As Vegan, plant-based and flexitarian diets continue to rise around the world, we hope that other companies will follow suit in seeking third-party validation for their Vegan product claims.” 

Founded in 1996, Serim Hyunmi is the only company in South Korea to produce rice bran oil, using equipment and facilities to extract and refine their products.  

“Serim Hyunmi is committed to providing high-quality and certified products while meeting the demands of the Vegan market. The BeVeg Vegan certification adds credibility to our products,” said Young-il Kwon, Vegan Manager, Serim Hyunmi. “NSF provided efficient and reliable support to us as we completed the rigorous BeVeg Vegan certification process.” 

To earn Vegan certification, Serim Hyunmi had to complete a five-step process, verifying that each of its rice bran products does not contain any animal ingredients, by-products, or GMOs used in the manufacturing and ingredient sourcing of the finished product; the products are produced in a manufacturing facility that has been audited to confirm proper controls are in place (including cross-contamination prevention); no animal testing was conducted, and the products are considered cruelty-free.  The certified manufacturing facility, vegan products, and related marketing materials can bear the BeVeg Vegan trademark to show suppliers and consumers that they are officially Vegan.  

NSF’s BeVeg Vegan certification program is available worldwide to manufacturers, brands, and retailers in the areas of food and beverage; personal care products; textiles and fashion; and dietary supplements. The Vegan certification is based on the BeVeg Vegan technical standard. BeVeg International holds ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation to offer the BeVeg Certification and is considered a global conformity assessment program recognized in accordance with ISO 17067.  

Businesses can also bundle the BeVeg Vegan certification with other NSF and Quality Assurance International (QAI) certifications, such as non-GMO, organic, gluten-free, and kosher, among others.  

Learn more about Serim Hyunmi and NSF’s Vegan product certification 

About NSF 

NSF is an independent, global organization that facilitates standards development to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. With operations in 180 countries, NSF tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences, and consumer goods industries. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. NSF is a Pan American Health Organization and a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Water Quality, Food Safety, and Medical Device Safety. 

About Serim Hyunmi Co., Ltd 

Serim Hyunmi Co., Ltd., established in 1996 with the Gimcheon Plant and the Sejong Plant, completed its latest facility, one of the largest granaries in Korea, in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do in 2003, and has established itself as the only company in the nation specializing in rice bran oil with the equipment and facilities to extract and refine the rice bran oil. With over two decades of ceaseless R&D, we have solidified the foundation for the production of domestic rice bran oil and, through continuous materials research and plant development, will strive to safely protect our foods.