April 26, 2007

South Korea considers ban on US pork

The South Korea Agriculture Ministry said it is mulling a ban on US pork imports as US health officials continue to investigate whether rice protein concentrate contaminated with chemical melamine has been used to feed hogs.

Agriculture officials, however, confirmed the contaminated rice protein from China has never entered the Korean market.

The chemical melamine, which is typically used in fertilizer, has been found in wheat gluten and rice protein. Its presence in pet foods sold in the US triggered a large-scale recall after it was connected with the deaths of more than a dozen cats.