MFDS Suspends Sales and Recalls Chinese Wood Ear Mushrooms
Residual pesticides exceeding 16 times the standard level were detected in Chinese wood ear mushrooms distributed in the market. Wood ear mushrooms are ingredients used in popular dishes among young people recently, such as Malatang, Jjamppong, and Sweet and Sour Pork.
On the 21st, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that residual pesticides (Carbendazim) were detected above the standard level (0.01 mg/kg or less) in Chinese wood ear mushrooms sold in the market, and that the problematic products would be suspended from sale and recalled.
Carbendazim is a systemic fungicide used to control insects on grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is known to have fatal effects such as causing cancer when ingested in large amounts by humans.
The recall targets are Chinese wood ear mushrooms imported by 'Daesung Mulsan (Guro-gu, Seoul)' (packaging date January 30, 2024) and products subdivided and sold by 'Daemyeong Sangsa (Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do)'. The problematic products were sold in units of 1kg, 10kg, and 50g, and contained 0.16 mg/kg of carbendazim, greatly exceeding the standard.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety urged, "We have taken measures to promptly recall the products, and consumers who purchased them should stop consumption and return them to the place of purchase." They also stated, "If you witness illegal acts related to food, you can report them via the defective food report hotline or use the mandatory food safety information app 'Naeson-an' on smartphones to report."
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