BFAD checks more peanut butter products for salmonella

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Food and Drugs is monitoring other peanut butter brands and peanut butter-based products following the discovery of salmonella bacteria in a local brand over the weekend.

BFAD director Leticia Gutierrez said inspectors have been dispatched to randomly collect and test samples across the country.

BFAD had ordered the recall of Yummy Sweet and Creamy Peanut Spread with batch numbers 3040905 and 11240810 and expiry dates 90409 and 52409 for salmonella contamination.

Gutierrez said it was the first time that a local peanut butter product tested positive for salmonella. Yummy is manufactured by Samuya Food Manufacturing Inc. She said the bureau is checking how Samuya processes the spread and where the firm sources its raw peanuts.

BFAD advised consumers to refrain from consuming the products covered by the batch numbers and to “throw them away in a manner that prevents others from” eating them.

The agency ordered Samuya to come up with a system wherein consumers can return the contaminated products and get a refund.               – Sheila Crisostomo