Gov't orders temporary sales ban on Chinese beef stock

SEOUL, April 14 (Yonhap) -- The government on Tuesday ordered a temporary sales
ban on all Chinese condensed beef stock after finding contamination in several
shipments that could cause stomach upsets and diarrhea.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it found 0.2-7.7
parts per billion (ppb) of Clenbuterol in 13 shipments, with all tainted products
to be destroyed.
Inspectors started checking imported beef stocks after a shipment from Qingdao
Weizhiyuan Foodstuff Co. tested positive for Clenbuterol early last week. The
government said the 3.5 tons of beef stock imported from the Chinese company in
March were contaminated with 0.3 ppb of the banned substance.
The drug is often prescribed to people suffering from breathing disorders such as
asthma and cannot be given to animals because it can cause acute food
contamination.
"The recall and ban on sales will affect all products that reached the local
market after April 6," said a ministry official.
He said that a further 61 shipments totaling 331 tons are being checked, with
test results on at least 44 shipments to be released within the week.
"Since the government has a clear understanding of how the products are sold and
distributed, it should not be too difficult for the recall order to take effect,"
the official said.
As of this year, South Korea imported 827 tons of beef stock from China that is
normally used to make various beef-based soups and broth sold in restaurants and
added to processed food.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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