BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INVESTIGATIONS are currently being made into whether or not St. Kitts-Nevis would be impacted by a Libby’s beef recall initiated owing to possible pesticide contamination.
According to a news release posted on the United Stated Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website, 87 000 pounds of beef products are being recalled, believed to “contain the animal drug Ivermectin”. This drug, according to the USDA, “is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic and is used as a de-worming agent in live animals”.
The USDA’s communiqué (published on May 14, 2010) specifically states that the products which are “subject to recall” are 12-ounce cans of Libby’s corned beef “distributed to retail locations nationwide with either of production codes ‘100222 U’, ‘100219’ and ‘100224 U’ and also 35-pound boxes of “Seasoned Cooked Beef” which were distributed for additional processing.
All of these products, the press release explains, bear the characters, “BRASIL 337 S.I.F" on the top or side of the packaging.
It is said that Invermectin can cause neurotoxicity symptoms, such as a lack of coordination or muscle movements.
Director of Consumer Affairs in St. Kitts, Howard Richardson, confirmed that the agent for Libby’s corned beef is Rams Trading Ltd., but noted he had not gotten word that the local market would be affected by the recall.
Director of the Bureau of Standards, Hiram Williams, was also contacted regarding the issue and he indicated that he had not received any word on the issue but was making investigations into the claim.
Neeta Surlak, a representative of Rams, during an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, explained that the company did not receive any information which suggests there is possible contamination of its stock of Libby’s corned beef or that Rams was holder of tainted stock. She however explained that should she receive any such word from the appropriate authorities, the products would be immediately removed from their shelves.
The impact of the recall on the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis is yet unknown. However, Richardson has indicated that, as has been the case in the past, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Standards would collaborate on investigating the matter.
He said as early as this morning (May 27), a team of investigators would be dispatched to Rams Trading Ltd., where the Libby’s corned beef products would be inspected, and should any bear the abovementioned production codes, they would be removed from the shelves.
