Gov't orders recall of organic sesame oil

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- A nationwide recall has been ordered for a locally produced sesame oil containing higher than permitted levels of a known carcinogen, health officials said Monday.

The Korea Food and Drug Administration said that "Organic Sesame Oil" sold by
Daesang Group had 4.64 parts per billion (ppb) of benzopyrene, more than twice
the accepted limit of 2 ppb.
It said that while the recall is for the 672 bottles of sesame oil made on Oct.
13, Daesang has ordered the collection and destruction of all of its sesame oil
products to alleviate any consumer concerns about safety.
Benzopyrene, most commonly detected in overcooked meat, is usually found in food
because of imperfect cooking processes.
The food processing company said that problems in the roasting of the seed may
have caused problems and pledged to take measures to enhance oversight and
quality control.
Daesang has a subcontractor produce the edible oil under an original equipment
manufacturer arrangement.