By ANGELNE VALENCIA
Bohol Sunday Post

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units to support the efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) to protect the public from health threats that Salmonella contamination poses amid reports of contaminated products distributed in the market.

The Governor’s Office recently received a copy of the memorandum circular dated April 3, 2009 from DILG Undersecretary for Local Governments Austere Panadero, calling all local chief executives to cancel or revoke the business permits or licenses of establishments selling products of Samuya Food Manufacturing, Incorporated which DOH had declared as unsafe with Salmonella contamination.

Through the Bureau of Food and Drugs, DOH confirmed Salmonella contamination on the samples of Samuya products that included Mama Peanut Spread Sweet and Creamy, Ludy’s Coco Jam Special, Ludy’s Coco Jam with Langka, Mama Coco Jam, Ludy’s Coco Jam Regular, Ludys Coco Jam with Peanut, Sunny Cheers Peanut Butter, Yummy Sweet and Creamy, Peanut Spread, and Ludy’s Sweet and Creamy Peanut Butter.

On this, BFAD declared the products as “injurious, unsafe or dangerous”.

Citing the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code, Panadero enjoined all local chief executives to cause the inspections of all markets, convenience stores, and general merchandizing or sari-sari stores within their jurisdictions to ensure that these products are not sold.

Panadero enjoined the local chief executives to direct the owner of an establishment to dispose these products through the nearest Department of Trade and Industry office and called for the cancellation or revocation of the business permits or licenses of those who refuse to heed.