Filipino consumers are warned against eating apples being linked to a listeria outbreak in the U.S.A.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were confirmed in the Bidart Bros. apple processing facility in Bakersfield, California, which were also found in Bidart apples collected from a retailer.
Eating food contamined with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can cause infection called listeriosis whose symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
If the infection spreads to the nervous system, the illness can cause an infected person to suffer from headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsion.
The Bidart Bros. apples being sold under the brands Granny Smith and Gala were massively recalled by the company earlier this month.
Dr. Willie Ong, a Filipino cardiologist, said he saw the said brands of apples being sold in a supermarket in Manila. He said contracting listeriosis is dangerous especially among the elderly and pregnant women because the illness, if left untreated, could infect the brain.
The Philippine Department of Heath has not yet issued a statement about the threat.
Recently, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Victorio Mario Dimagiba said the following apple shipments consigned by consigned by International Produce Group LLC and MB Fresh International were being recalled because these were not safe for consumption: 345,000 cartons of Granny Smith apples (700 pounds per carton); 30,000 cartons of Gala apples; (40 pounds per carton); and 600 cartons of Triwall apples (700 pounds).
Source: InterAksyon.com
By: Mia Reyes, News 5
Date published: 01/28/2015