South Korea Bans Absente

The South Korean Government has temporarily banned the sale of Absente following the detection of a prohibited ingredient in the product.

Korea’s Food and Drug Administration said the liquor was found to contain artemisia absinthium, a bitter-tasting plant which is not allowed in the country’s food products.

The ban affects 1,265 bottles of Absente produced on 14 January or 12 October in 2009 and imported by Fine Liquor Korea, a local distributor.

The agency has so far seized 280 bottles of the liquor stored by the local importer.

Health authorities said long-term intake of the banned ingredient can cause harm to the human body.