Thai authorities screen imported apples for public safety

BANGKOK, January 17 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has strictly inspected imported fresh apples, particularly those shipped from the United States, following a recent warning issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that fresh apples sold by six US exporters may be contaminated with a deadly bacteria. Thai Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Vimol Chantararothai told journalists on Friday (Jan 16) that local authorities concerned have been ordered to, thus, strictly check imported apples, especially those from the United States. Vimol explained that the move followed a letter sent from the Thai agricultural councilor's office in Washington, informing his ministry of the warning by the US-FDA. According to the official warning, the US-FDA said it has recalled all fresh Gala and Granny Smith apples shipped to worldwide markets by a US exporter, named Bidart Bros, under the Big B and Granny's Best trademarks, after it found that the fresh apples could cause outbreaks of the fatal Listeriosis disease, carried by a bacteria detected in the fresh apples. The senior official noted that the bacteria is normally found in soil and raw food, confirming, however, that no fresh apples under the Big B and Granny's Best trademarks have been reported to have been shipped to Thailand so far, but authorities concerned will keep inspecting imported fresh apples thoroughly and strictly. The senior Thai official also stressed that all fresh apples sold on the domestic market are safe for consumption after they are properly cleansed and peeled off, as a precaution. (TNA)