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Bacteria-tainted American apples still circulating in Yogyakarta markets
American apples suspected of having been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes are still circulating in Yogyakarta markets despite a recent ban on the distribution of the imported products
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merican apples suspected of having been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes are still circulating in Yogyakarta markets despite a recent ban on the distribution of the imported products.
'I cannot distinguish the difference between contaminated apples and non-contaminated ones,' said Eliya Sunarti, a fruit vendor in Klodran, Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Friday.
'The only thing I know is that all of these fruits are in good condition. Their color looks good so [I think] they're OK to sell.'
Eliya was responding to questions raised by the Bantul administration's trade, industry and cooperative agency officials during an unannounced search for the two American apple varieties ' Granny Smith and Gala ' which were reported to have been contaminated by the bacteria.
Kasinem, another fruit vendor on Jl.Imogiri Barat, near bus terminal Giwangan, Yogyakarta, said she initially did not know what kind of fruit was suspected of having been contaminated. After the government announced a ban on the distribution of American apples, all imported fruit saw a drop in demand.
'I usually can sell up to 20 kilograms of imported fruit but in the last three days, no one has bought imported fruit,' said Kasinem.
Bantul's Industry and Cooperative Agency head, Sulistiyanto, said that according to its monitoring activities, many fruit shops were still selling Granny Smith and Gala apples produced in California, US. The administration urged all vendors to recall the products.
'We will take tough measures and impose sanctions if they keep selling these products,' said Sulistiyanto.
According to Provincial Food Security Network Team (TJKPD) data, five imported apple suppliers are operating in Yogyakarta. From the suppliers, 298.3 kilograms of the suspected bacteria-contaminated apples had entered Yogyakarta after the government announced the ban on the distribution of the American apples. Officials were only able to seize 32 kg of the apples in a weeklong market search that began last Monday, however.
Listeria monocytogenes are pathogenic bacteria that cause symptoms ranging from digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting and pains, to fevers. The symptoms can become more serious in patients with low-body resistance. (ebf)(++++)
