Detection of 'Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli' in Tteokgalbi... MFDS Orders Recall and Disposal

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Local Governments Inspect 200 Ground Processed Meat Manufacturers
404 Production and Distribution Products Collected and Tested

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, which can cause so-called 'hamburger disease,' was detected in tteokgalbi distributed in the market, leading related agencies to recall and dispose of the products.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 21st that from the 12th to the 31st of last month, it inspected 200 ground processed meat product manufacturers, including pork cutlets and hamburger patties widely used for group meals, together with 17 local governments, and recalled and disposed of three products, including tteokgalbi, in which Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli was detected. The inspection targeted companies producing more than 90% of domestic ground processed meat products.

The inspection revealed three companies violating the 'Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act.' Violations included one company not conducting self-quality inspections and two companies not wearing sanitary clothing. Local governments will take administrative actions against these companies and verify improvements through re-inspections within six months.

Additionally, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety collected and tested 404 samples of hamburger patties, chicken nuggets, and other products manufactured by these companies and distributed in the market.

As a result, three products were found to be non-compliant with standards and regulations and were recalled and disposed of. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli was detected in one tteokgalbi product, and two products?a steak product and a ham product?contained food additives (nitrite ion, preservatives) used to give food a red color to make it look appetizing or to extend shelf life, in amounts exceeding the standards. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is a pathogenic E. coli that causes symptoms accompanied by hemolytic uremic syndrome, known as 'hamburger disease.'

A Ministry of Food and Drug Safety official stated, "We will continue to promote the mandatory application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards step-by-step for meat processing companies manufacturing ground processed meat products, conduct inspections together with local governments, and do our best to ensure that safe livestock products are distributed and consumed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.