The Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) is checking dried seaweed products in local supermarkets after Australia recalled a type of South Korean dried seaweed for containing excessive iodine levels.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has ordered to recall Wang Dried Kelp Varech Speche, a South Korean brand of the dried seaweed available in Asian grocery stores and restaurants in Australia’s Brisbane and Gold Coast areas.

"The product contains high levels of naturally occurring iodine," FSANZ said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Regular consumption of these products may cause health problems in some people including pregnant and breastfeeding women."

Nguyen Cong Khan, VFA chief, told Thanh Nien imported dried seaweed is not popular to Vietnamese consumers in general.

“However, we will test all seaweed products and release possible warnings as soon as possible,” he said. 

The Wang Dried Kelp Varech Speche brand was not seen on the shelves of Ho Chi Minh City-based supermarkets and cooking stores surveyed by Thanh Nien Wednesday afternoon.