Banned substance found in Chinese beef stock

SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's quarantine authorities said Tuesday they have found a banned substance in Chinese condensed beef stock that could cause stomach upsets and diarrhea.

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said traces of
Clenbuterol were found in 3.5 tons of beef stock that were imported last month.
The two shipments contained 0.3 part per million of Clenbuterol.
The drug is often prescribed to people suffering from breathing disorders such as
asthma, but cannot be used in animals because it can cause acute food
contamination.
The agency under the farm ministry said the two shipments from Qingdao Weizhiyuan
Foodstuff Co. will not be allowed to pass quarantine and either be returned or
destroyed. Future shipments of the beef stock from the same company will be
checked more carefully.
The service also said that it has informed the Chinese company not to ship
further beef stocks until they have discovered the cause of the contamination and
ordered a temporary sales ban on the products already circulating in the market.
The condensed stock is normally used to make various beef-based soups and broth
sold in restaurants and used to make processed food.
South Korea imports most of its condensed beef stocks from China, with 557 tons
brought into the country so far this year.