The Tribune

SYANN THOMPSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

sthompson@tribunemedia.net

FOOD stores that do not remove recalled products will be liable if consumers fall ill, according to The Bahamas Agricultural Food and Safety Authority chairman.

Consumers were warned about two US recalls from lettuce grown in the Salinas Valley region in California and over 75,000 pounds of salad products that are contaminated with E. coli.

Chairman of The Bahamas Agricultural Food and Safety Authority, Mark Humes, told The Tribune that while recalls are voluntary, food stores were alerted of the recall and if they decide not to remove the contaminated items, they will be held accountable to consumers.

“If you have those products do not take any chance with it until we have a clear on those items. We want food stores to err on the side of caution, remove the items and discontinue selling them to the public in order to protect the Bahamian consumer. Food stores will have to assume liability if the consumers consume those products and get sick as a result,” said Mr Humes.

Lettuce from the Salinas Valley region are carried in several major food store chains in the country; one of the major brands from that region is Andy Boy romaine lettuce.

Meanwhile, consumers can be vigilant when they shop at the grocery store or check items in the refrigerator by perusing labels. The public is advised to dispose of any of the recalled products they may have purchased, which include lettuce grown in the Salinas Valley region in California and Missa Bay salad products.

The public health alert came after 40 persons fell sick and 28 hospitalised due to the E. coli breakout in the United States. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration advised that all lettuces (hearts, heads or pre-cut packaged) and salad mixes (baby romaine, spring mix and Caesar) from the Salinas Valley region should be thrown out and not eaten.

Currently, the Ministry of Health has no reports of illnesses from the recalled products. E. coli symptoms appear with vomiting, stomach cramping and diarrhoea, usually after three to four days of eating the contaminated food.

BAHFSA is advising members of the public who believe they may have consumed any of the recalled products are asked to visit the nearest clinic. A list of the recalled products can be found at https://www.fsis.usda.gov