The Department of Public Health and Social Services is warning Guam’s food establishments to cease the importation, distribution, selling, and/or serving of any unapproved food products, including those in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Import Alerts, which list several products from the Philippines that are commonly imported into the island.

One of the most common, unapproved food articles that Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, in coordination with DPHSS, have detained at ports of entry are products manufactured by Nutri-Asia, such as Jufran and Mang Tomas brand sauces.

These sauces contain potassium iodate, which the FDA considers an unsafe food additive as too much of this substance may be harmful to human health.

A complete list of products from the Philippines that are prohibited entry into the United States and Guam because of unsafe food additives may be found at the following link: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/CMS_IA/importalert_1173.html

The Division of Environmental Health of DPHSS has received reports that "Jufran Banana Sauce,” and possibly other unapproved products, manufactured by Nutri-Asia Inc. are being sold in Guam.

The Division is working to contact local vendors who are distributing and/or selling these products. These vendors are to take immediate corrective actions by removing them from sale.

Consumers who have purchased any of the affected products are urged to not consume them.

The product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. To date, the Department has not received any local reports of injuries or illnesses associated with the use of these potentially affected products.

Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact their healthcare provider.