Corned beef referred to lab for tests

By Deidre Fanene 12 July 2016, 12:00AM

The Ministry of Health is investigating claims about “unusual meat products” found in a brand of corned beef recently.  

This was confirmed by the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, in an email to the Samoa Observer yesterday.

The brand in question is Farmers Corned Beef.

“The process resulting in the recall of Farmers Corned Beef was initiated after public complaints of contamination of the corned beef with flesh or tissues other than beef,” he said. “Physical verification and examination of the corned beef product carried out by our Food Safety Officers found unusual meat products.

“There was also inconsistency of the labelling information with the food content.”

The Ministry of Health immediately issued a recall notice.

 “The recall process is enforced while samples of the mentioned corned beef have been sent for tissue analysis at S.R.O.S and National Health Services Diagnostic laboratories.” S.R.O.S is the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa.

Leausa said the company and the distributor of the corn beef have been advised about the decision and will be informed about the outcome of the tests.

“The Food Product Recall notice is empowered through section 21 Food Act 2015.” On 1 July 2016, a public notice was issued to inform local suppliers, all the supermarkets and retail outlets not to sell the Farmer Corned Beef brand.

 “The Ministry of Health requests the co-operation of the business community and the public in this important matter,” the notice reads.

“The local suppliers, all supermarkets and retail outlets are advised not to sell the FARMER style CORNED BEEF to the public until further notice. “The Public is hereby advised that FARMERS style CORNED BEEF with the above mention information should not be consumed.”

By Deidre Fanene 12 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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