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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ruling out the presence of toxins in tainted candies that downed nearly 2,000 people in the Caraga region.
FDA acting deputy director general Maria Lourdes Santiago said tests on the candies turned out positive for staphylococcus bacteria.
As the Centers for Disease Control noted: “Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium found on the skin and in the noses of up to 25% of healthy people and animals. The most common way for food to be contaminated with staphylococcus is through contact with food workers who carry the bacteria or through contaminated milk and cheeses.”
As such, Santiago said the contamination of the candies may have occurred anytime during their preparation down to distribution. She also noted that the candies were repacked by the sellers.
“We did look for the presence of mycotoxin, but it was negative. All the symptoms manifested by the patients are pointing to bacterial contamination,” Santiago said.
Health Secretary Janette Garin, meanwhile, reminded the public to practice good hygiene, especially those engaged in food business.
Garin said a lone food poisoning victim remains in the hospital but is set to be discharged.
Photo: Video screengrab
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
