For the second time in as many months, the FDA urged markets to remove shellfish products imported from Korea. A similar warning to remove the fish products, which includes oysters, clams, mussels and "some scallops," was issued in mid-May after authorities found the products may have been exposed to human waste.
As a result, the government agency said the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP) is no longer in compliance with the sanitary guidelines outlined by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Food exposure to human waste can lead to norovirus, which cause vomiting, nausea, headache, low-grade fever and diarrhea.
"Consumers can check the label on packaged seafood to see if it is from Korea. If it is not clear where the product is from, consumers can call the manufacturer to find out. Consumers should dispose of molluscan shellfish from Korea and any products made with molluscan shellfish from Korea," advised the FDA.
The FDA is currently working with the South Korean government to resolve the issue. No illnesses have yet been reported in 2012, although reports of norovirus from Korean oysters surfaced in 2011.
by RTT Staff Writer
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