NewsWhore
07-25-2012, 02:00 PM
A study presented by the director of the Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (ProConsumidor), Altagracia Paulino, has determined that out of product samples for 258 companies manufacturing beef-pork salami here, 97% was below the minimum 16% protein content established by law. The research also showed the tested salamis had high levels of yeast (12%) and 51% of the samples used sodium nitrates for flavor and coloring.
Making maters more serious, of the salamis sample, 15% tested positive for fecal coliform bacteria (15%). Most E. coli strains are harmless, but a few cause serious disease.
The investigation was carried out in January and the samples taken from 22 salami manufacturers in the National District, and the provinces of Santiago, Duarte, Barahona and San Pedro de Macoris.
It was also discovered that 80% of the products were not adequately labeled. Among these violations was the failure to indicate that they used mechanically-boned chicken (MDM), which can be dangerous to health as it can include bones capable of transmitting disease.
Paulino said she could not reveal the brands unless ordered to by a judge, but she denounced the informality of the salami market saying that the violations to local food laws were damaging the industry as a whole.
The study cost around RD$1 million and was carried out by the quality control laboratory at the Institute of Innovation and Industrial Biotechnology (IBII) and the Central Veterinary Laboratory.
The president of the Association of Industries, Ligia Bonetti called for ProConsumidor to give the names of the companies that violating quality laws and that these close or improve their products. Induveca, a leading producer of salami, yesterday said they meet legal standards and certify their products with Societe Generale de Surveillance.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)
Making maters more serious, of the salamis sample, 15% tested positive for fecal coliform bacteria (15%). Most E. coli strains are harmless, but a few cause serious disease.
The investigation was carried out in January and the samples taken from 22 salami manufacturers in the National District, and the provinces of Santiago, Duarte, Barahona and San Pedro de Macoris.
It was also discovered that 80% of the products were not adequately labeled. Among these violations was the failure to indicate that they used mechanically-boned chicken (MDM), which can be dangerous to health as it can include bones capable of transmitting disease.
Paulino said she could not reveal the brands unless ordered to by a judge, but she denounced the informality of the salami market saying that the violations to local food laws were damaging the industry as a whole.
The study cost around RD$1 million and was carried out by the quality control laboratory at the Institute of Innovation and Industrial Biotechnology (IBII) and the Central Veterinary Laboratory.
The president of the Association of Industries, Ligia Bonetti called for ProConsumidor to give the names of the companies that violating quality laws and that these close or improve their products. Induveca, a leading producer of salami, yesterday said they meet legal standards and certify their products with Societe Generale de Surveillance.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)