FDA urge removal of Korean shellfish over sanitation concerns

25 May - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged food distributors, retailers and food service operators to remove Korean molluscan shellfish - including mussels, clams and scallops - from shelves over sanitation concerns.

The FDA action followed an evaluation of the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP), which found that the program no longer met to the sanitation controls spelled out under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

“Because of inadequate sanitation controls, the molluscan shellfish harvested from Korean waters may have been exposed to human fecal waste and have the potential to be contaminated with norovirus,”​ said the FDA statement.

“FDA recommends that food distributors, retailers, and food service operators remove from sale or service, all fresh, frozen, and processed (including canned) Korean molluscan shellfish and any product subsequently made with them.”​