Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Market Kurly hit for selling contaminated smoked salmon
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Two smoked salmon products, sold at Market Kurly and SSG.com, were found to contain listeria, a potentially deadly bacteria / Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Market Kurly and SSG.com are desperate to quell the anger of consumers after the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) found their packaged smoked salmon to contain listeria bacteria.
The companies have discontinued affected products, notifying consumers of ways they can be refunded.
The moves came as the KCA warned consumers, Thursday, on the dangers posed by eating smoked salmon contaminated with listeria.
After screening 30 refrigerated items, including salted pollack roe and smoked salmon, bought from retailers, the agency said two were found to contain listeria bacteria.
Listeria infection is a foodborne bacteria illness disease caused by the listeria monocytogenes bacterium. Today, dairy and vegetable products are frequently the source of contamination.
In recent years, outbreaks have been linked to milk, soft cheese, avocado, sausage and salmon.
The infection is treatable with antibiotics, but around 20 percent to 30 percent of illness — known as listeriosis — are fatal.
Those most at risk include older adults and infants as well as pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems.
According to KCA, symptoms can vary but include headache, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches and convulsion. Pregnant women are more likely to experience fever and flu-like symptoms.
Market Kurly CEO Sophie Kim / Korea Times file
Market Kurly said it chose to halt sales of the affected product as soon as it was notified about the high levels of listeria bacteria found in it. However, the company said it is unable to recall the product because the expiry date has already passed.
“The affected item’s expiry data was Oct. 25, so we’re unable to recall it. However, we’ve identified 23 consumers who purchased the affected product and are currently in talks to provide full refunds,” a Market Kurly official said.
“We’re going to submit an inquiry to the KCA for detailed results because it was certified as safe according to our screening.”
“We’ve received a few complaints after the news was released on Thursday. We will voluntarily offer refunds,” an SSG.com official said.
Despite the companies’ prompt actions, consumers expressed disappointment.
“I just saw the news after ordering raw salmon. I’m not sure if it’s safe anymore,” one Market Kurly member surnamed Chung wrote on the company’s website.
“I ordered smoked salmon at SSG.com for a Christmas party, and 15 of us went to the emergency room in the middle of the night,” a consumer surnamed Kim wrote on the company’s website. “I frequently use SSG.com for grocery shopping, but this is a big disappointment.”
Meanwhile, the KCA has urged the companies to adopt improved hygiene practices, especially at delivery.
“We’ve also requested the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to supervise hygiene practices of foods sold online.”