S. Korea orders recall of U.S. chocolates on health concerns

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Friday that they
have ordered a recall of U.S. chocolate products on fears that they may have been
contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said that the recall will be
applied to the "Milk Chocolate Peanuts" produced and sold by Marich Confectionary
here.
The move came after the American company voluntarily took their products off
shelves in the U.S this week on health concerns, it added. A total of 1,239
kilograms of the chocolate have been imported to the local market.
The recall was ordered after it was found that the Peanut Corporation of America
(PCA), a supplier of peanut paste may have produced products that can cause
Salmonellosis, the KFDA said.
Salmonellosis, caused by exposure to Salmonella bacteria can lead to diarrhea,
fever, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Seoul also ordered a recall of U.S. peanut
butter-based cookies on Jan. 19.
The KFDA said that no peanut products from PCA had been imported but it has
stepped up quarantine inspections on all peanut butter-based products from the
U.S.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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