Guam - The Department of Public Health continues to warn the public not to consume or purchase products that contain Korean shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops). 

As of June 7, 2012, a total of twelve retail establishments were found to have carried Korean shellfish food products.  The twelve retailers are:  American Grocery in Dededo, San Jose Supermarket in Maite, New Happy Mart in Barrigada, Agat Kim Chee Store, Yona 7 Day Supermarket, California Mart in Tamuning, La Familia in Dededo, Park's Market in Dededo, UR Market in Dededo, Song Market in Mangilao, Payless Supermarket in Agana Shopping Center, and Island Fresh (IGA) in Chalan Pago.

 .  These retailers have removed the following affected products from their shelves:

  • Geisha Whole Oysters in Water (Net Wt. 8 oz./225 g);
  • Crown Prince Whole Oysters in Water (Net Wt. 8 oz./226 g);
  • Asian Style Instant Noodle Hot Taste Yeul Ramen (Net Wt. 4.23 oz./120 g);
  • California Girl Oysters Ostiones (Net Wt. 8 oz./224 g);
  • Frozen Oyster (I.Q.F.) (Net Wt. 8 oz./226 g);
  • Nong Shim Cham-Pong Noodle Soup (Net Wt. 4.37 oz./124 g);
  • Nong Shim Neoguri Udon Type Noodles Mild Seafood (Net Wt. 4.23 oz./120 g);
  • Nong Shim Neoguri Noodle Soup Udon Seafood & Spicy (Net Wt. 4.23 oz./120 g);
  • Nong Shim Oriental Style Noodle Seafood Ram Yun (Net Wt. 4.41 oz./125 g);
  • Ottogi Delicious Spinach & Soybean Paste Soup (Net Wt. 1.26 oz./36 g);
  • Ottogi Delicious Seaweed Soup (Net Wt. 0.63 oz./18 g); and
  • Sempio Seafood Noodle Soup Hot & Spicy (Net Wt. 7.50 oz./212.5 g).

DPHSS is adding two more food products to the list:

  • Nong Shim Oriental Style Noodle Big Bowl Noodle (Shrimp Flavor) – (Net Wt. 4.05 oz. /115 g); and
  • Nong Shim Spicy Seafood Champong Noodle Soup – (Net Wt. 2.46 oz. /70 g).

The Division of Environmental Health (DEH) is continuing to work with local retailers to ensure that affected products are being removed from store shelves and wholesalers are no longer importing and/or distributing the recalled products.

The Department is recommending food distributors, retailers, and eateries to remove from sale or service, all fresh, frozen, and processed (including canned) Korean molluscan shellfish such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops, and any product containing these items.

Consumers are encouraged to check the labels of food products that may contain shellfish to ensure it is not of Korean origin.  Molluscan shellfish from Korea and products made with molluscan shellfish from Korea should not be consumed.  On May 1, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed all Korean certified shippers of molluscan shellfish from the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List, following a comprehensive FDA evaluation that determined that the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program no longer meets the sanitation controls of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program due to ineffective management of land-based pollution sources; inadequate sanitary controls to prevent the discharge of human fecal waste to shellfish growing areas; and detection of norovirus (a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis) in shellfish growing areas.

The Department has not received any local reports of illnesses associated with any Korean shellfish.  Consumers who have purchased any shellfish products from Korea are urged to stop using the product immediately.

For any questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 735-7221.