Two varieties of imported US apples believed to be contaminated with a potentially lethal virus may be on sale in Vietnam.
Granny Smith apples at Maximark Febuary 3 Supermarket
Government agencies are combing markets for imported Granny Smith and Gala apples that can be traced back to the Bidard Bros. Co. of the US. A worldwide recall of the apples has been ordered after some were found to be contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes virus.
Nguyen Xuan Hong, head of the Plant Protection Department, said Vietnam did not directly import apples from Bidard Bros. in 2014, but officials are checking whether distributors may have indirectly sourced apples from the company.
Phung Huu Hao, deputy head of National Agro Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD), ordered the Plant Protection Department to work closely with the authorities at border gates to search for the tainted apples, some of which are packaged as caramel-coated apples.
The tainted apples have reportedly killed at least three people in the US and led to the hospitalisation of 31. Ten of those poisoned were pregnant, and one suffered a miscarriage as a result of consuming the contaminated fruit.
Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, director of Maximark February 3 Supermarket in HCMC’s District 10, said all Gala apples were withdrawn from sale once the company was informed on January 20. But authorities are concerned not all traders have been informed of the recall and may still be offering the fruit for sale.
Authorities was warned about the contaminated products by the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).
Listeriosis can be fatal, with symptoms including fever, severe headache, nausea and a stiffness of the neck. The US Food and Drug Administration said the US company may have exported contaminated apples to Vietnam, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Vietnam orders recall of deadly US apples Related image(s)
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