Durian candy makers tagged in poisoning to face raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will convene to identify charges to be filed against two Davao durian candy makers believed to be behind the poisoning of over a thousand students in several towns in the Caraga region.

PNP Region 11 Deputy Director for Operations Sr. Superintendent Aaron Aquino said the Special Inter-Agency Task Group Candy will meet as it is eyeing on filing charges against JJCM factory, which produces Wendy's and Blesse's candies.

"We will try to validate liability and check what charges we will file against Wendy’s and Blesse’s," Aquino said in a state news report.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday released a six-page microbiological report on raw materials for candy manufacturing including ingredients, equipment and the work area taken from the two manufacturers' factory.

The materials were found positive of bacterial contamination due to mishandling of food preparation and hygiene problems.

Aquino said the FDA's report indicated that water samples sourced from a deep well contained coliform and e-coli.

Even if the water source was not used for making candies, Aquino said the management of Wendy's was using the water for washing equipment and utensils.

Based on the FDA's findings, the samples taken from Wendy's and Blesse's factory such as electrical wiring in the kitchen, empty sugar racks, wrapping materials, paper and carton labels, machine grinders and chopping boards contained either diphtheroids, bacillus, e coli, staphylococcus, coagulase-negative or Pantoea.

Aside from the samples, Aquino said plastic materials used for repacking were also contaminated.

Aquino, however, said that the FDA clarified that all the samples of raw materials for processing durian candy taken from Wendy's and Blesse's were tested negative.

The FDA and the Department of Health regional offices ordered the temporary closure of Wendy's and Blesse's pending the results of the laboratory tests of their products.

Eight sellers of candies, meanwhile, are also facing charges in the Caraga region following the poisoning incident that downed thousands in the towns of Cagwait, Marihatag, Lianga, Cortes, Madrid and Tandag.