'Luncheon Meat' taken off shelves over bacteria scare

Daesang will recall “Luncheon Meat”-branded canned hams after some were found to contain toxic bacteria. / Yonhap

By Lee Min-young, Park Si-soo

Korean food maker Daesang has decided to recall its “Luncheon Meat”-branded canned hams after some were found to be contaminated with toxic bacteria.

The decision came after the

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

said on Tuesday the brand's sample products failed a bacteria test. It ordered the company to recall Luncheon Meat products made on May 17, 2016, with a shelf life that will expire on May 15, 2019.

As a precaution, Daesang decided to remove all Luncheon Meat products from retailers' shelves across the country. A reimbursement for customers is also under way.

“We conducted a bacteria test after receiving a complaint from customers,” a ministry official said. “And bacteria was found in unopened sample products. To pass the test, it should have been bacteria free.” The ministry did not give details of the bacteria.

Daesang apologized Wednesday, saying it would discontinue production and sales of all of its canned ham products until it finds the contamination's cause.

"We are truly sorry for causing concerns,” the company said. “We will do our best to dispel public fear over canned products."

The product in question is only sold domestically.