American apples contaminated with deadly bacteria can be exported to Vietnam

These are Granny Smith and Gala apples. In the US, among those infected, 31 cases were hospitalized and at least 3 people died, 10 of whom were pregnant and 1 had a miscarriage. Vietnamese authorities are coordinating to handle and review the import source to promptly conduct a recall.

American Gala apples suspected of being contaminated with Listeria.

According to information from the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health), the Department has just received a warning from the International Food Safety Authority Network (INFOSAN) about the international recall of apples and processed and prepackaged caramel apple products imported from the United States due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The recalled products have also been exported to Vietnam. According to a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), as of January 9, 32 people have been infected with Listeria monocytogenes in this case, recorded in 11 states.

Of those infected, 31 were hospitalized and at least 3 died, 10 of whom were pregnant and 1 had a miscarriage. 25/28 of the infected people interviewed had eaten processed and packaged caramel apple products. In response to the above situation, the Food Safety Department has taken urgent measures such as reviewing the warned products and notifying importing enterprises to promptly recall related products (if any). The health sector has also directed relevant units to proactively monitor food poisoning cases with symptoms related to Listeria monocytogenes infection to promptly prevent and take appropriate measures.

On January 6, Bidart Bros. of Bakerfield, Californis voluntarily recalled Granny Smith and Gala apples due to environmental testing that found contamination of apple packing equipment with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products are all Granny Smith and Gala apples shipped from the Shafter, Calif. packing facility in 2014. Subsequently, three companies voluntarily recalled caramel apples due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination: Lochirco Fruit & Produce (Happy Apple in Washington, Missouri); California Snack Foods (El Monte, Calif.); Sugar Daddy LTD (Merb's Candies in St. Louis, Missouri).

However, the investigation is still ongoing to find other companies involved. According to information from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recalled product has been exported to Vietnam and some countries: Canada, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates. Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous food poisoning microorganism.

Although the incidence of the disease is not high, the mortality rate is very high, especially in pregnant women, infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria often cause brain and spinal cord infections leading to neurological dysfunction or, more seriously, death. To ensure safety, the Food Safety Department has also sent urgent dispatch No. 152/ATTP-PC dated January 20, 2015 to the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Product Quality Management requesting coordination in handling and reviewing agricultural product importing enterprises, notifying relevant parties to promptly recall. The Food Safety Department will continue to keep in touch with INFOSAN to update information and promptly notify consumers....

According to NNVN