The Marikina City government has joined the campaign against salmonella-tainted peanut butter as city workers cleared the shelves of all public and private markets in the city of branded and homemade peanut spreads for testing.

Dr. Ramonito Viliran, city market administrator, said yesterday more than 20 home-made peanut butter samples from manufacturers have been forwarded to the Clean Food Laboratory for initial screening aimed at ensuring the safety of peanut butter being sold citywide.

The move was prompted by the growing peanut butter recalls due to salmonella contamination.

“No peanut butter can be found in the market. Vendors, bakeries, public markets, and sari-sari store owners were advised not to sell after the testing of their samples,” said Dr. Viliran, adding that those who violate the order will face sanctions and their products will be confiscated.

The Bureau of Food and Drugs will also conduct further tests on the samples.

According to Viliran, homemade peanut butter found to be contaminated with salmonella will be immediately recalled.

“The manufacturer would be notified and required to undergo a food handling safety seminar which the City Health Office (CHO) conducts regularly,” he added.

The City Market Office, in coordination with CHO, is monitoring about 30 private markets within the city’s market zone, 11 private markets, and 10 grocery stores in several barangays.

Earlier, the City Market Office recalled Yummy peanut butter and Ludy’s peanut butter and coco jam products which were found positive for salmonella.  Those who are found selling the “banned" peanut butters will be sanctioned and penalized.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can trigger stomach pains, cramping, and diarrhea, among others.

Eating salmonella-tainted food can result in abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever. Most people infected with salmonella develop the symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection.