South Korea's quarantine agency said Tuesday it found bacteria that may be harmful to babies in a powdered milk product imported from Japan.

   The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) said enterobacter sakazaki bacteria was detected in powdered milk made by Wacodo Co. Ltd.

   The discovery was made when inspectors checked samples from a 50-box shipment containing 222 kilograms of powdered milk, it said.

   The service said the tainted milk will be destroyed or sent back to the supplier. Measures were taken to carry out detailed examinations of Wacodo powdered milk imported in 2010 and early this year.

   Last year, six shipments totaling 3,851 kilograms of powdered milk made by Wacodo were brought into the country. Two shipments reaching 2,954 kilograms were imported this year.

   The NVRQS said enterobacter sakazaki bacteria can be easily killed if hot water is added to the powdered milk. It can, however, cause meningitis and gastroenteritis in babies who do not have fully developed immune systems.
(Yonhap News)