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FDA: Wendy's durian candy tainted with bacteriaThursday, July 16, 2015

DAVAO. The Davao Business Bureau Office closed the factory of Wendy's Durian Candy following the food poisoning outbreak in Caraga. (King Rodriguez)

MANILA (Updated) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against patronizing durian candy with brand name Wendy's, saying the product was found to have been tainted with "staphylococcus aureus."Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin, hair, noses and throats of people and animals. It causes poisoning when a food handler contaminates food. It can quickly produce a toxin that causes illness at room temperature, according to the FoodSafety.gov.

The FDA said the bacteria in Wendy's durian candies caused the food poisoning outbreak in Caraga region, wherein a total of 1,926 people were brought to hospitals in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur after eating the candies last week.

"It is consistent with the symptoms that manifested in the patients. It turns out to be the real cause of poisoning," said Ma. Lourdes Santiago, FDA acting deputy director-general.

The finding ruled out the possibility of salmonella and E. coli as being the microbial contamination present in the candy.

The FDA also said that Wendy's products are not registered with the government.

"The public is warned against unscrupulous selling and distribution of unregistered food items from unlicensed establishments," it said.

Aside from Davao City, Wendy's products are also distributed in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; Tandag, Surigao del Sur; Kidapawan City and Kabacan in North Cotabato, said FDA-Davao supervisor Deborah Legaspi.

"Binigyan na namin ng directive yung owner na i-recall or i-withdraw nila lahat ng produkto na dinistribute nila sa iba't ibang lugar at i-turnover sa FDA para masiguro na lahat ng produkto nila ay ma-pullout na sa market," she said.

The agency also advised the public to avoid unlabeled repacked food products claimed to be the same as or made by manufacturers of known brands or products.

It said that all its field regulatory operations officers and regulatory enforcement agents have been ordered to monitor and confiscate the said product sold in the market.

Santiago said the contamination may have happened during the food production or packaging.

"Staph aureus can actually be found anywhere. It is common sa balat, sa buhok… so it might be in the mishandling," said Santiago.

But she did not rule out the possibility of the bacteria coming from the raw materials and other aspects of the supply chain.

Aside from Wendy's, the FDA conducted inspection on the manufacturing area of another durian candy maker, Blesse's. About 193 packed candies were sealed.

"Meron naman silang (Blesse's) appropriate license from FDA, pero nag-investigate pa rin po kami at sinelyohan na po namin yung remaining products nila until further notice from us. Let's wait first the test results dun sa una," said Legaspi. (HDT/With ICT of Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)