From Markets In Metro Cebu DOST: Bacteria in chorizo samples

CEBU, Philippines -The Department of Science and Technology in Region VII found bacterial contamination in the “chorizo” samples that were taken from the wet markets of Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City.

DOST-7 regional director Rene Burt Llanto, in his report to Agham Partylist Rep. Angelo Palmones dated January 24, stated that to address the request of the congressman, DOST took samples of “chorizo” from seven vendors in the wet markets in the said area.

The results show the following:

*All samples are positive of Staphylococcus Aureus. Unfit for consumption.

* Two samples (Talisay and Mandaue markets) are positive of E. Coli. Unfit for consumption.

* All samples are negative of salmonella.

Palmores, vice chairman of the Committee on Agriculture was invited during the Pig Summit yesterday at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel where he revealed this report.

The DOST in the Certificate of Analysis of the seven samples that were taken, however, noted that the results given in this report are those obtained at the time of the examination and refer only to the particular sample submitted.

The samples that were tested were taken on January 4 in Carbon Public Market, on January 10 at Talisay Public Market, on January 11 at Mandaue Public Market and Talamban Public Market.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, who also attended the summit, said that he already asked the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and the respective local government units to conduct a re-testing to avoid bias.

“After all, we are for the health and safety of the consuming public,” Alcala said.

Palmores however said that it cannot be ascertained whether the meat being used in the making of the chorizo is local or imported.

“Hindi na natin malaman kung local or imported ba yan. Kasi halo-halo na yan,” Palmores said.

There is now a controversy between local hog producers and the meat importers.

Local hog producers want a total ban of meat importation amidst the over supply of imported meat to the detriment of the local hog industry, who are selling higher price as compared to the imported meat.

Aside from this, there are allegations that local meat would get spoiled faster than imported meat while the local meat producers claim otherwise.

Palmores added that he already filed a bill, which is still pending at the House of Representatives, calling for the temporary ban of all meat importation while the issues and problems remained unresolved.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who was also one of the summit’s guests, said that it has to be studied thoroughly before the government can impose a total ban on meat importation.This is because it cannot be denied that the supply of our local producers cannot meet the demand of the consuming public.

Cebu City Veterinary chief Alice Utlang said that the findings of DOST serve as an eye-opener and they fully embraced this.

“We will use the result as a proof that its high time for these chorizo makers to reform their ways,” Utlang said adding in Carbon market alone, there are over 50 chorizo makers.Utlang also clarified that they do not only confiscate imported meat found to be in bad condition on display but also local meat.

“We are not selective in the implementation of Department Order number 22. Local or imported basta dautan na, e confiscate gyud na namo. Galing lang ang pirme ma focus sa media, ang mga imported meat ra. Unya kanang mga na confiscate namo, ipakaon na sa mga iro sa impounding area,” Utlang said.

It can be recalled that several bacteria, including E.Coli were found in a local meat in Mandaue City Public Market and Carbon Public Market in Cebu City.

It was also found out in the same report the presence of coliform, E. Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus.

This report however was strongly criticized as being biased.

The food technologists, who conducted the said study, however, clarified that only one sample each was taken from the two markets and it does not follow that all the local meat in the said markets were contaminated with bacteria.

PIG SUMMIT

Swine producers from all over the country convene yesterday and met key government officials to discuss issues affecting their industry.

Aside from Sec. Alcala and Sen. Pangilinan, his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Rep. Mark Leandro Mendoza of the 4th District of Batangas was also present. — with Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/NLQ (FREEMAN)