S. Korean imposes import ban on U.S. peanut products

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean health authorities on Friday ordered an import ban on all U.S. peanut products that may have been contaminated with Salmonella.

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said measures are being taken after
it was found that the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a supplier of peanut
paste to Kellogg Co., may have produced products that can cause Salmonellosis.
Salmonellosis is caused by exposure to Salmonella bacteria and can lead to
diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal cramps. In most cases, illness does not
last more than a week, with people making a full recovery, although some may need
hospitalization.
PCA had started recalling products made after July 1, 2008, but expanded the
recall to all peanut products made from Jan. 1, 2007, when concerns were raised
about goods made by its Georgia plant.
Seoul had implemented similar measures in 2007 and ordered a recall of U.S.
peanut butter-based cookies on Jan. 19.
The KFDA said no peanut products from PCA's Georgia plant had been imported,
meanwhile stepping up quarantine inspections on all peanut butter-based products
from the U.S.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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