ID :
188211
Mon, 06/13/2011 - 13:37
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http://m.oananews.org//node/188211
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Deadly O104 E. coli strain not found in Thailand's imported German turnips
BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) - Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that official tests have found imported German turnips are free from the deadly O104 strain of the E. coli bacteria and are now safe for domestic consumption.
FDA Secretary-General Dr. Pipat Yingseri said that the official tests on the German turnips imported from Belgium by Siam Food Service Co early this month had not detected the toxic O104 E. coli bacterium strain; so, his agency had given the green light for their sales on the domestic market.
Dr. Pipat acknowledged that his agency has, however, intensified imposing strict measures on fresh vegetables and fruits imported from Germany, requiring tests on samples of fresh vegetables and thin-skinned fruits in particular, including blueberries and raspberries, and that they must pass the tests before being put on sales. For hard fruits, Dr. Pipat said, their samples must also be officially tested, but their marketing need not wait for any test result because they are much safer.
The Thai FDA chief insisted that it is unlikely for any outbreak of the severe O104 strain of the E. coli bacteria in Thailand, as the country has imported fewer fresh vegetables and fruits from Northern Europe than those from other countries, including Japan, and that a test for E. coli is faster than a test for radioactive contamination.
According to the Thai FDA chief, E. coli contamination in fresh vegetables and fruits is actually normal because the bacteria exist in the environment, water, soil, compost and intestines of humans and animals, most of them are non-toxic and human antibodies can kill them, advising that people washing and well cooking their food to be safe from the E. coli.
The Thai FDA chief noted that toxic E. coli may result from mutation and he is waiting for probes into the source of the spreading o104 E. coli bacterium strain in the northern hemisphere. (TNA)
FDA Secretary-General Dr. Pipat Yingseri said that the official tests on the German turnips imported from Belgium by Siam Food Service Co early this month had not detected the toxic O104 E. coli bacterium strain; so, his agency had given the green light for their sales on the domestic market.
Dr. Pipat acknowledged that his agency has, however, intensified imposing strict measures on fresh vegetables and fruits imported from Germany, requiring tests on samples of fresh vegetables and thin-skinned fruits in particular, including blueberries and raspberries, and that they must pass the tests before being put on sales. For hard fruits, Dr. Pipat said, their samples must also be officially tested, but their marketing need not wait for any test result because they are much safer.
The Thai FDA chief insisted that it is unlikely for any outbreak of the severe O104 strain of the E. coli bacteria in Thailand, as the country has imported fewer fresh vegetables and fruits from Northern Europe than those from other countries, including Japan, and that a test for E. coli is faster than a test for radioactive contamination.
According to the Thai FDA chief, E. coli contamination in fresh vegetables and fruits is actually normal because the bacteria exist in the environment, water, soil, compost and intestines of humans and animals, most of them are non-toxic and human antibodies can kill them, advising that people washing and well cooking their food to be safe from the E. coli.
The Thai FDA chief noted that toxic E. coli may result from mutation and he is waiting for probes into the source of the spreading o104 E. coli bacterium strain in the northern hemisphere. (TNA)
