By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Department of Public Health and Social Services has warned Guam’s food establishments to cease the importation, distribution, selling, and/or serving of any unapproved food products, including those in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Import Alerts, which list several products from the Philippines that are commonly imported into the island.
Among the unapproved food articles that the Customs and Quarantine Agency barred entry into Guam are Jufran and Mang Tomas brand sauces.
Manufactured by Nutri-Asia, these sauces contain potassium iodate, which the FDA considers an unsafe food additive as too much of this substance may be harmful to human health.
The department's Division of Environmental Health has received reports that "Jufran Banana Sauce,” and possibly other unapproved products, manufactured by Nutri-Asia Inc. are being sold in Guam. Officials said the division is working to contact local vendors who are distributing and/or selling these products. These vendors are to take immediate corrective actions by removing them from sale.
Consumers who have purchased any affected products are urged to not consume them. The product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. To date, the department has not received any local reports of injuries or illnesses associated with the use of these potentially affected products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact their healthcare provider.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition
Comments