Maggi Noodles – Salmonella – Recall

Nestle Philippines has recalled all of it’s Maggi Rich Mami Noodles, both the Beef and Chicken flavors. This was done after traces of salmonella were found in two batches of the beef flavor.
The lot codes for the two batches, of beef flavored Maggi Rich Mami Noodles, where traces Salmonella were discovered were 11020598A2 and 11030598A1. According to a Nestle Ad, “The lot code numbers are found at the back of the product pack, between the ‘Best Before’ date and the ingredients list.” “The product recall is a precautionary measure being taken to ensure the safety and quality of our products.”

Nestle is requesting consumers who have purchased Maggie Rich Mami Noodles to “contact (their) hotline at 8980061 (for Metro Manila) and 1-800-100-637853 (toll-free for provincial areas).”

Zamboanga Department of Health (DOH) Local Health Support Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes says that salmonella will cause diarrhea, food poisoning, and fever.

In addition to the recall, Nestle Philippines has halted production of all their Maggi Rich Noodle products, “pending the completion of (their) investigation.” Referring to the flavoring sachet included with the noodles, Nestle has stated “initial findings suggest flavoring ingredients as the cause.”

Suzette Lazo, director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said that Nestle has done “a very responsible thing” by informing her office of the recall, and now the FDA has “to do our own test and get a report from (Nestle) every day.” She went on to say that the flavor enhancer, which is added to the noodles after they are cooked, seem to be the contaminated ingredient, and the U.S. has also recalled this flavor enhancer.

According to a Sun.Star article “912 cartons or 82,080 pieces of beef-flavored Maggi Rich Mami Noodles were contaminated with salmonella … Around 650 cartons have already been pulled out while others are deemed sold.”

So where are the other 200 plus cartons? Of course, some may already be in people’s houses. But there is another problem too. Many of the small Sari-Sari stores purchase their products from a larger store, rather than directly from a Nestle Distributor. If these stores are unaware of the recall, they may still be selling a tainted product.

If you have friends or relatives in a remote area, or island, of the Philippines, please advise them to stop eating Maggi Rich Mami Noodles until this has been resolved. For now, they should switch to another brands of noodles. I know we will be informing relatives on Almagro Island.

Additional references used to write this post:

http://asiancorrespondent.com/53783/philippines-nestle-recalls-maggi-noodles-due-to-salmonella/

http://blogwatch.tv/news/voluntary-recall-of-maggi-noodles-by-nestle/

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/4266-dont-eat-maggi-for-now-doh.html

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/05/07/dont-shun-other-noodle-brands-supermarket-group-tells-consumers-154134

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/05/11/maggi-noodles-recalled-over-salmonella-scare

Salmonella in Samar

Looks like the southern portion of Samar Province is having a pig problem. In the past 2 months, 84 of Sta. Rita’s 8,900 pigs have died of Salmonella infection. Leo Cañeda, executive regional director of the Department of Agriculture, held a meeting in Tacloban on Friday, with some of Samar’s mayors and government agriculturists and veterinarians. A total of 750 pigs have been affected, but agriculture officials assure there is “no cause for alarm”.

There were also reports that Daram may have pigs with Salmonella infection, so an emergency response team was sent there, for a 2 day animal health mission. Sick pigs were treated, and information about dealing with salmonellosis was given out.

Check points have been set up around Sta. Rita, and also in Tacloban, Leyte, to help prevent the spread of this outbreak. Tacloban, the Region 8 Capital, is only 40 km away from Sta. Rita.

You can read more on this story at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net:80/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20090201-186729/Salmonella-infection-in-pigs-rises.

US Ambassador in Calbayog

US AMBASSADOR DEDICATES NEW CALBAYOG CITY MAIN HEALTH CENTER

US Ambassador H.E. Kristie Anne Kenny, made her first visit to Calbayog today, where she inaugurated the new Calbayog City Main Health Center, a project of Pacific Partnership 2008.

The 9 room Health Center was a a joint undertaking of the US Navy Seabees, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Local Government Unit of Calbayog, with medical equipment and supplies donated by the 3P Foundation, in support of the USNS Mercy’s humanitary mission to the Philippines.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, of the Diocese of Calbayog, opened the ceremony with prayer.

(seated from left to right) Calbayog City Vice Mayor Onald Aquino, Congressman Reynaldo Uy, U.S. Ambassador H.E. Kristie Anne Kenny, Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen S.Sarmiento, Philippine Navy Captain Crispin Mercado, and U.S. Navy Captain William A. Kearns, Pacific Partnership mission commander.

The ceremony ended with a plaque given by the U.S. Navy to Mayor Sarmiento.

The USNS Mercy on it’s second visit to Calbayog. The first time was in 1987. On the current trip to the Philippines, Mercy’s doctors and medical staff have treated close to 25,000 Filipino’s. On monday, Mercy will stop in Manila, then continue on it’s humanitarian mission. It’s next stop will be Vietnam.

Note: This article was origionally posted on our Calbayog News Page, which has been replaced by this blog.