Chemical composition of imported table salts from China (sun dried), Thailand (sun dried) and Australia (rock salt) were compared the mineral content and heavy metal contamination with Korean sun dried salt. Kimchies prepared by those salts were analyzed the quality by pH, acidity and sensory evaluation. Chemical compositions were as follows : moisture-from 1.7% (Australia) to 8.7% (Korea), sodium chloride-from 86.7% (China, summer) to 97% (Australia), insoluble matter in water-from 0.02% (Australia) to 0.18 (China), and sulfate ion-from 0.03% (Australia) to 1.65% (China, summer). Judging by Korean Standard(KS) of salt, salt from Australia and Thailand belong to lst grade, Korean and Chinese (winter) to 2nd grade, and China (summer) were out of 3rd grade. Ca and Mg content of the salts tested were 0.022% (Australia) to 0.246 (China, winter), 0.036% (Australia) to 0.$41% (China, summer) respectively and Pb was 1.23 ppm(China, summer)-0.61ppm(Korea) which is within the Korean regulation. The other heavy metals, Pb, Cd, As and Hg were not detected in all salts tested. The quality of Kimchi prepared by those salts were significantly no difference with Korean sun dried salt.

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