Warning for Wood Ear Mushrooms in Malatang: Products with Pesticide Residues 17 Times Over the Limit and How to Return Them

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has initiated an emergency recall after pesticide residues significantly exceeding the standard limits were detected in wood ear mushrooms and white wood ear mushrooms, which provide the characteristic texture for dishes like Malatang or Jjamppong. In particular, some products were found to have pesticide levels as much as 17 times higher than the permissible residue limit, requiring special caution from consumers who have purchased these products.

Wood Ear Mushrooms Exceeding Limits by 17 Times: Sales Suspended and Recalled

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety decided to suspend sales and recall 'Wood Ear Mushrooms' imported and sold by the food importer Taeyang Trading Co., Ltd., after pesticide residues were detected exceeding the standard limits. The problematic product was manufactured by HUBEI PIAOYANG FOOD TECHNOLOGY in China, and Taeyang Trading imported and distributed a total of 6,900kg.

As a result of the inspection, 'Carbendazim', a pesticide used on fruits and vegetables to prevent diseases caused by fungi, was detected in the wood ear mushrooms. The detected concentration of Carbendazim was 0.17mg/kg, which is a staggering 17 times higher than the permissible residue limit of 0.01mg/kg or less. Consumers are understandably bewildered by the pesticide levels found in an ingredient they frequently enjoy.

Check Detailed Information of the Recalled Wood Ear Mushrooms

The Taeyang Trading wood ear mushrooms subject to recall were sold in 1kg packages. The packaging date of the product is May 26, 2026, and it has a shelf life of two years from the packaging date. If you possess the product, you must check the manufacturer and packaging date written on the package.

This measure is an emergency action to prevent specific manufacturer products from circulating in the market. If the packaging date of the wood ear mushrooms you have at home is May 26, 2026, and the importer is listed as Taeyang Trading, you must stop using them immediately and undergo verification procedures. It is a priority to check whether the product you consumed is included in this recall.

Pesticide Detected Exceeding 5 Times in White Wood Ear Mushrooms

In addition to the wood ear mushrooms, a pesticide residue issue also occurred in 'White Wood Ear Mushrooms' imported and sold by Seongmin Trading Co., Ltd. The white wood ear mushrooms imported by Seongmin Trading were manufactured by GUTIAN YUMEIJIA FOOD in China, and a total of 2,880kg is included in the recall. This product was also distributed in 1kg packages.

'Acetamiprid', an insecticide used for pest control, was detected in the white wood ear mushrooms. The detected concentration was 0.05mg/kg, which is 5 times higher than the permissible residue limit of 0.01mg/kg. Similar to the case of the wood ear mushrooms, the white wood ear mushrooms also showed pesticide levels exceeding the standard, triggering safety warnings.

White Wood Ear Mushroom Product Information and Nature of Detected Pesticide

Seongmin Trading's white wood ear mushrooms were packaged on April 2, 2026, and have a shelf life of up to 24 months from the packaging date. The Acetamiprid detected this time is a substance used for the purpose of pest control. While the impact on crops and management methods vary depending on the type of pesticide, both products share the commonality of exceeding the standard limits.

The total amount of products being recalled this time reaches 9,780kg when combining the wood ear mushrooms and white wood ear mushrooms. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is proceeding with rapid recall measures to ensure these products are no longer sold in the market. As a large volume is subject to recall, the core of this measure is to prevent spread through distribution channels.

Already Purchased? Returning to the Place of Purchase is the Answer

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has urged immediate response from consumers who purchased the products. If you have already purchased and possess the recalled products, do not consume them and stop using them immediately. The most correct way to respond is to take the product back to the place of purchase and follow the return procedure.

Since food safety is directly linked to daily life, swift action is required for products with a recall notice. Consumers should double-check the company name (Taeyang Trading, Seongmin Trading) and the packaging date of the product they purchased to prevent unnecessary consumption. Cooperation is needed so that returns through the place of purchase can be carried out smoothly following the government's recall measures.

Reference Sources

• "Please return them" Chinese wood ear and white wood ear mushrooms found with pesticide residues up to 17 times the limit |
• Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recalls 9.7 tons of Chinese wood ear mushrooms with pesticide residues up to 17 times the limit
• Recall measures for Chinese imported 'Taeyang Trading Wood Ear Mushrooms' and 'Seongmin Trading White Wood Ear Mushrooms' with pesticide residues exceeding standards < Food & Distribution < Rural Economy < Article Body - Rural and Fishery Economy Return News

Photo Sources · Terms of Use

• Appearance of a wood ear mushroom. Source: Dmitry Brant / Wikimedia Commons. Original · CC-BY-SA-4.0
• Wood ear mushrooms growing in nature. Source: JojoYaeger / Wikimedia Commons. Original · CC-BY-SA-4.0
• Wood ear mushrooms being cultivated on a farm. Source: TrioGu / Wikimedia Commons. Original · CC-BY-SA-3.0
• Boxes of harvested wood ear mushrooms. Source: TrioGu / Wikimedia Commons. Original · CC-BY-SA-3.0