FDA warns vs possibly tainted calcium supplement

Health authorities on Tuesday warned consumers against buying certain batches of calcium supplements that they said tested positive for Streptococcus aureus and salmonella spp traces.

 

The Food and Drug Administration said Pascual Laboratories recalled its CalChews Chocolate Flavor (LN: 382BWA and 382BWB, expiry August 2014).

 

Acting head Kenneth Hartigan-Go said Batches 383BWB and 383BWA also tested positive for Streptococcus aureus and salmonella spp traces.

 

"Pascual Laboratories conducted an investigation to determine the cause of the contamination and has stopped distribution of the same pending completion of the investigation," Hartigan-Go said in Advisory 2012-013, posted on the FDA website Tuesday night.

 

Charmaine Lara, corporate communications manager of Pascual Laboratories, told GMA News Online in a telephone interview Thursday that they initiated the recall after their quality assurance found some microbes in the product. 

 

"Currently, we are continuing with our thorough investigation of the matter, particularly in identifying the cause of the incident, in coordination with the FDA. We are working closely with our distributor and trade partners to resolve this situation as soon as possible," Pascual Laboratories said in a statement emailed to GMA News Online.

 

Lara said they are still in the process of microbe testing, and added that they will also have the products tested by a third party in order to verify the results.

 

"We remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure that our consumers can continue to be confident in the quality of the products that we provide," Pascual Laboratories said.

 

For now, Hartigan-Go instructed field officers to monitor establishments selling the products and coordinate with them to prevent the distribution of the products.

 

"The FDA shall continuously monitor products in the market to ensure the safe supply of products," he added.

 

Hartigan-Go noted Streptococcus aureus and salmonella infection is a bacterial infection that may cause severe illness.

 

The most common symptom is acute gastroenteritis accompanied by headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever of 38 to 38 degrees Celsius, and sometimes vomiting.

 

For now, Hartigan-Go advised consumers who bought the products concerned not to consume them and to return them to Pascual Laboratories, or call their 24/7 hotline at (02) 920-1911 (Metro Manila) or +63 (44) 6931891-95 in the provinces.

 

Those who think they became ill due to taking the product should consult their health care provider, he added. –KG, GMA News