bfad advisory

Last March 15, 2009 at around 12 a.m. I was browsing a channel fortunately channel 7 was still sign-on so I watched their midnight news… I was shocked by the news abount BFAD advisory that there are two batches of peanut spreads to be contaminated with Salmonella and warned the public not to consume them.

In Advisory 2009-002 dated March 12, the BFAD ordered the immediate recall of the following products:

• Yummy Sweet and Creamy Peanut Spread 490 grams (Batch 11240810), with expiry date of May 24, 2009

• Yummy Sweet and Creamy Peanut Spread 224 grams (Batch 3040905), with expiry date Sept. 4, 2009

"To date, the Bureau of Food and Drugs has not received any adverse events associated with the consumption of the peanut spread products identified above. Further, the Bureau has directed the manufacturer to undertake immediate recall of the affected products identified above, is undertaking close monitoring on the establishment's action, comprehensive audit and inspection on the manufacturing practices of the establishment and pursuing appropriate actions to protect public health and welfare."

BFAD said those who think they might have become ill from eating the spread should consult a doctor.

According to Wikipedia, Salmonella infections are zoonotic; they can be transmitted by humans to animals and vice versa. Infection via food is also possible. A distinction is made between enteritis salmonella and typhoid/paratyphoid/salmonella, whereby the latter because of a special virulence factor and a capsule protein (virulence antigen) can cause serious illness, such as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Typhi, or Salmonella typhi). Salmonella typhi is adapted to humans and does not occur in animals.

Enteritis Salmonella (e.g., Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Enteritidis, for short Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium ) cause diarrhea which usually heals spontaneously and does not require antibiotic treatment. However, people at risk such as infants, small children, the elderly, HIV patients and those with suppressed immunity can become seriously ill (general infections).

Salmonella can survive for weeks outside a living body. They have been found in dried excrement after over 2.5 years. Sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) accelerates their demise; they perish after being heated to 55 degrees C for one hour, or to 60 degrees C for half an hour. To protect against salmonella infection, it is recommended that food be heated for at least ten minutes at 75 degrees C (temperature at the center). The bacteria are not destroyed by freezing. Salmonella die rapidly in acid media, and common disinfectants destroy them within a few minutes.

Very alarming isn’t…. I was saddened by the news coz I cannot scoff even a pinch of peanut butter unless the advisory will be lifted by BFAD….