THE DEPARTMENT of Health, having conducted its own inquiry, would like to respond to the one-page ad on the safety of Turkish flour in the country and the accompanying report of the Food and Drug Administration or FDA. (Inquirer, 8/18/10)
Tests were conducted by the FDA Laboratory Services Division last March 27, 2010 on the Turkish flour collected from March 9-22. The globally accepted Enzyme-linked lrnImmunosorbent Assdy (Elisa) test was used to determine the presence of Mycotoxin. This is the same testing method used by Istanbul University in determining the presence of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2).
The protocols were well established and put in place. The conduct of the testing was transparent and in accordance with processes. The tests were limited to the safety and quality of processed food for human consumption.
A total of 139 samples were collected from different sources in the metropolis, with 118 of these samples going through the Elisa testing. These were sourced from wet markets, importers, warehouses, supermarkets and the Bureau of Customs.
Of the total samples, 52 were imported from Turkey, two from China, five from Taiwan, one from the United States; 79 were locally sourced. All were found safe and fit for consumption. Monitoring of this product at select sites continues to this day.
Because of our limited resources, it has never been a practice of the FDA to publish advisories regarding clearances of products through newspaper ads. Instead, product owners, concerned government agencies and other entities are informed directly. Advisories are made only in cases where public health is threatened and/or endangered.
The information was officially communicated to then Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral on March 30, 2010. On March 31, the same was communicated to Assistant Secretary Leslie Baja, Office of European Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, with copies furnished to Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya; Department of Trade and Industry Director Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba; and Deputy Commercial Councelor Imran Er of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey.
There was never any ?wining and dining,? contrary to what has been falsely, maliciously and viciously alleged. It is unfortunate that the FDA is being dragged into what appears to be a commercial and private dispute among certain parties with obvious selfish interests.
For those who wish to pursue this matter any further, we advise them to initiate instead the proper complaint at the proper venue and not through costly paid ads that resolve nothing and only obfuscate the real issues.
This shall be the last DoH/FDA statement on this matter. We hope this statement has finally clarified the issue and clears the integrity of the FDA and the institution it stands for and represents.
?ALEXANDER A. PADILLA,
undersecretary,
Department of Health
