KEY POINTS:
A deep-fried rat's head has been found in a packet of shrimp crackers in South Korea - forcing production of the snack food to be suspended - but the product is still being sold in New Zealand.
Oriental Merchants, which imports Nong Shim's shrimp crackers, said the company
had not issued a recall as crackers from the affected batch did not reach New Zealand.
The rat's head was found a week ago by a woman who identified herself to Reuters news agency as Ms Yu.
She told the agency that she originally thought it was a shrimp's head.
"I was closely checking it only to realise it was a rat's head with teeth and eyes," Ms Yu said.
The Singaporean Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority has advised that the company, Nong Shim, has suspended the production of the popular cracker in South Korea.
The authority said a full investigation would take place and advised consumers not to eat the product.
Oriental Merchants' manager, Chris Hutton, said as soon as it learnt of the recall the company contacted Nong Shim and was assured the batch of crackers which contained the rat's head had not been sent to New Zealand
Ms Hutton said her company was responsible and would have issued a voluntary recall if the situation was otherwise.
She said many of the companies that stocked the crackers carried the snack-sized pack and not the jumbo size in which the rat's head was found.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (FSA) has not issued any warning on the crackers.
Spokeswoman Wendy Harding said the authority had not heard from South Korea.
"If we find out the product has been sent here, within the time period they are talking about, then we will be following up on that. They will contact us if there is an issue," Ms Harding said.
She said the product was not currently being investigated.
Nong Shim shrimp crackers are available at some New Zealand supermarkets, including Woolworths.
Progressive Enterprises - Woolworths' owner - had not heard from the FSA.
Spokeswoman Fiona Breen said the company had not received any complaints from customers.
"So we have no reason to believe there are implications with our stores," Ms Breen said.
Foodstuffs - which owns New World, Pak n Save and Four Square supermarkets - had no official comment for nzherald.co.nz.
However, it is understood a handful of its stores also stock the crackers.
The BBC has reported that Nong Shim, South Korea's largest food processor, had issued an apology.
"From the bottom of our heart we apologise to clients who have been supporting us for 40 years."
