Health execs yet to intercept cracker nut products

CEBU, Philippines - As national authorities ordered  a voluntary recall of cracker nut products, local health authorities in Cebu have not intercepted displayed batch of these coated peanut snacks banned due to harmful level of toxic compound.

Nagaraya Cracker Nut Original Butter Flavor (160 grams) with Lot No. 14019 and expiry date 01242015F was removed from the market by its manufacturer, Food Industries, Inc., following an order by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Department of Health - Central Visayas Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said FDA-7 conducted inspection immediately after it received a copy of FDA advisory No. 2014-017.

“We received the advisory yesterday (Tuesday) and immediately, we conducted inspection to different retailers in the region. So far, there has been no establishment that still displayed the recalled product. I hope this continues as the inspection progresses,” Bernadas yesterday told reporters.

Non-compliant establishments could face sanction such as reprimand, penalty and even closure, the regional health official said.

“The recall involves only the specified product under the mentioned lot number and no other Nagaraya variants and sizes are affected by the recall,” the advisory read.

It further noted that the recalled peanut-based food product “was found to contain unacceptable level for Aflatoxin,” a fungal toxin.

Aflatoxin, Bernadas explained, is naturally present in nuts, the raw ingredient for the recalled product.

“Aflatoxin is natural to nuts. Meaning, there is a certain level of it nga makaya ra og filter sa liver. In the event that this goes beyond the acceptable level, this is the time that it becomes harmful. This is not fatal but its long-term effect on the humans is. It can lead to liver, colon and stomach cancer,” Bernadas explained.

FDA advised consumers who have purchased the recalled products to contact the sales department of manufacturer Food Industries, Inc. at 810-0141 or send queries and concern to [email protected]. — (FREEMAN)