Stores checked after recall of peanut butter products

Cebu - The Bureau of Food and Drugs in Cebu started monitoring supermarkets yesterday in relation to the recall of certain peanut butter products reported to have been contaminated by salmonella.

An advisory was sent by BFAD Manila for the immediate recall of selected brands of peanut butter and peanut paste-containing products from the US.

Dr. Angelita Salarda, chief of BFAD-7, said that they will be closely monitoring stores, especially the large ones, that are selling imported products. BFAD would also be checking with the local hospitals for any possible Salmonella-related cases.

This advisory was made after over 400 people got sick in 42 states of the US. Also, the Peanut Corporation of America, a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter and peanut paste for bulk institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, reportedly announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its facility in Blakely, Georgia because of potential Salmonella contamination.

BFAD further advised consumers to postpone eating other imported peanut butter-containing products until information is made available on whether that certain product is fit for consumption. However, the bureau made it clear that locally made peanut butter products are safe. – AJ de la Torre (THE FREEMAN)