Beijing inspectors are working to recall contaminated peanut butter
imported from the United States, said sources with the city's food
safety watchdog.
The Beijing News newspaper reported Sunday that
Beijing's health and inspection and quarantine departments have
asked dealers of the peanut butter to immediately recall 156 cases
of the products that have been sold, and seal off those that are
still in their warehouses.
China's Ministry of Health (MOH) was notified by the World
Health Organization (WHO) that the U.S.-made peanut butter branded
"Peter Pan" and "Great Value" may be contaminated with Salmonella
and may have a possible link to the food borne illness salmonella
which has broken out in the United States.
Beijing's food safety office has required the city's inspection
and quarantine, health, industrial and commercial, and quality
control departments to make a thorough examination on the peanut
butter products in the city.
The food safety watchdog warns customers not to buy the "Peter
Pan" and "Great Value" peanut butter produced after May 2006 with
product code 2111 printed on the lid, and suggests they report to
related government agencies if any of such products were found.
China imported three batches of the two peanut butter brands in
September and December of 2006 and January of 2007, totaling 742
cases.
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2007)
