Salmonella scare: Gov't orders ban of 9 Samuya products

MANILA, Philippines - Nine products manufactured by Samuya Food Manufacturing Inc. have been ordered pulled out from the market days after the government found that two of the company's products were contaminated with salmonella. The following products were ordered banned and recalled by the Department of Health (DOH) in its March 23 memorandum signed by Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

• Mama Peanut Spread Sweet and Creamy
• Ludy's Coco Jam Special
• Ludy's Coco Jam with Langka
• Mama Coco Jam
• Ludy's Coco Jam Regular
• Ludy's Coco Jam with Peanut
• Ludy's Sweet and Creamy Peanut Butter
• Sunny Cheers Peanut Butter
• Yummy Sweet and Creamy Peanut Spread

The DOH issued the order after batches of Samuya's Yummy Sweet and Creamy Peanut Butter and Ludy's Sweet and Creamy Peanut Butter were found laden with salmonella, a rod-shaped bacteria that can trigger stomach pains, cramping, and diarrhea. "In the light of recent laboratory report and findings of contamination of the bacteria Salmonella on samples of peanut spread and peanut butter products manufactured by Samuya Food Manufacturing, Inc... The manufacturer is directed to immediately recall all food products from the market," the memorandum read. DOH spokesman Edgar Hilario told GMANews.TV on Wednesday that only the nine products were recalled because these were the only goods manufactured by Samuya. Products such as Samuya Pancit Canton and Samuya Pancit Bihon are only distributed but not manufactured by Samuya, according to Hilario. "Sabi ni Atty. Emil Polig (legal department of BFAD) itong nine lang na ito yung mina-manufacture talaga ng Samuya sa kanilang planta sa Pasay. The rest they act as distributor lang (only)," said Hilario. [According to Atty. Emil Polig (of the Bureau of Food and Drug's legal department) only these nine products were manufactured by Samuya in their factory in Pasay City. They only act distributors for the other products.] The DOH memorandum added that the ban would continue to remain in effect until BFAD certifies that Samuya has already complied with government standards. - GMANews.TV