S. Korean health authorities order recall of U.S. cookies

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean health authorities on Monday ordered a
recall of U.S. peanut butter-based cookies that may have been contaminated with
Salmonella.
The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said measures came after the Peanut
Corporation of America (PCA), a supplier of peanut paste to Kellogg Co., may have
provided 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.
Kellogg had ordered a precautionary nationwide recall of several peanut butter
products, with 20,474 kg having been imported by Costco Wholesale Korea Ltd. and
sold locally.
KFDA said Costco had halted sale of the product starting last Thursday, but had
not implemented a formal recall.
"If people bought the product, it would be advisable to return it to the seller,"
a KFDA spokesperson said.
In addition, the administration under the health ministry said that while 27,211
kg of the peanut butter had been imported separately from the cookies, tests
conducted on samples showed no signs of Salmonella.
It added that all peanut butter-based products imported from the U.S. will be
checked more thoroughly for contamination in the future.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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