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BPOM tracks down imported apples in Jambi
The Jambi branch of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) carried out unannounced searches for imported apples in Jambi on Sunday, following a ban on the distribution of American apples suspected of containing dangerous bacteria
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he Jambi branch of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) carried out unannounced searches for imported apples in Jambi on Sunday, following a ban on the distribution of American apples suspected of containing dangerous bacteria.
'We inspected a number of locations, including Jamtos, Hypermart and fruit stores in the Jelutung and Pasar areas. We found 215 kilograms worth of American apples,' BPOM Jambi head Ujang Supriatna said on Sunday.
He said the agency's investigators found the American apples, comprising the Granny Smith and Royal Gala variety, during a vendor-to-vendor search in the Jelutung area, Jambi city.
The BPOM suspected that vendors were expecting the unannounced search and had separated the bacteria-tainted American apples from other fruit beforehand.
Ujang said all American apples confiscated would be destroyed as they were not safe for consumption. The BPOM would carry out further investigation to trace the distributors of the American apples.
In a recent statement, the BPOM headquarters in Jakarta said it had received information on the recall of apple products suspected of having been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, both from the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) in Geneva and the US Embassy in Jakarta.
'There had been listerioris cases in 32 victims in 11 states in the US after they consumed Caramel Apples distributed with brand names Happy Apple [Lochirco Fruit & Produce,Inc.], Karm'l Dapples, Carnival [California Snack Foods, of El Monte, California], and Merb's Candies [Sugar Daddy Ltd.],' the agency said in a statement.
Following the incidents, the BPOM said, the three companies had recalled their caramel-apple products.
The agency further explained that following the cases in the US, apple packing company Bidart Bros of Bakersfield, California, had recalled Gala apples distributed with brand name Big B and Granny Smith apples with brand name Granny's Best or Big B on Jan.6.
'The recall was announced after results of laboratory tests showed Listeria monocytogenes contaminants in Bidart Bros packing facilities, in which their characteristics were similar to what had been found in the poisoned victims,' said the BPOM, adding that Bidart Bros was also the supplier of apples used for the production of caramel apples. (ebf)(++++)
