April 8, 2009

South Korea's quarantine authorities have found a banned substance in condensed beef stock imported from China.

Traces of clenbuterol were found in 3.5 tonnes of beef stock that were imported last month, with two shipments containing 0.3 part per million (ppm) of clenbuterol, said the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service on Tuesday (Apr 7).

The drug is banned from using on animals because it can cause food contamination, leading to stomach upsets and diarrhea.

The agency said the two shipments from Qingdao Weizhiyuan Foodstuff Co. will not be allowed to pass quarantine and will either be returned or destroyed. Future shipments of beef stock from the same company will be checked more thoroughly.

The agency has informed Qingdao Weizhiyuan not to export further beef stocks until they have discovered the cause of the contamination, and has ordered a temporary sales ban on the products already circulating in the market.

The condensed stock is usually used to make beef-based soups and broth sold in restaurants and to make processed food.

South Korea imports most of its condensed beef stocks from China, having purchased 557 tonnes so far this year.