Answers
10/01/1991

<TITLE>FDA ACTS AGAINST CHOLERA-CONTAMINATED COCONUT MILK PRODUCTS</TITLE>
<PRE>

T91-59                                                   Chris Lecos
Oct. 1, 1991                                             (202) 245-1144

         FDA ACTS AGAINST CHOLERA-CONTAMINATED COCONUT MILK PRODUCTS
  FDA is detaining fresh, frozen and dried products that contain coconut milk
or coconut meat and are produced by Champ Group Enterprises Co., Ltd.,
Bangkok, Thailand, as a result of three cases of cholera in Maryland that have
been linked to the Thai manufacturer's frozen coconut milk.  The products will
not be allowed into the United States unless FDA is provided with evidence
that they are free of cholera and other microbial contaminants.
  As a further safeguard, FDA also is intensifying its port-of-entry testing
of other fresh and frozen coconut-containing products being shipped to the
United States from other countries.
  The following may be used to answer questions:
  The three cholera victims, who have now recovered, were among six people
who attended a picnic in Silver Spring, Md., on Aug. 17.  Two suffered severe
diarrhea and one had mild diarrhea after eating a Thai rice pudding in which
Asian Best Frozen Fresh Coconut Milk was used as a topping.
  The cholera organism was isolated from the stool of one hospitalized victim. 
Blood tests of two other victims and one other individual who did not become
ill showed evidence that they had also been exposed to the cholera organism. 
The strain--Vibrio cholerae 01, Ogawa, El Tor--is one associated with
epidemics in Asia but not in the current epidemic in South America.
                                   -MORE-


                                                 Page 2, Coconut Milk, T91-59
  Followup testing by FDA of Asian Best Frozen Coconut Milk has identified
four samples as positive for cholera but only one with the Asian strain. 
There are many different strains of cholera.  Some are relatively innocuous,
while others can cause serious illness.  Due to excellent water and sewage
treatment in this country, public health experts say that the risk of a
cholera epidemic in the United States is extremely remote.
  The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, FDA and the
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have been working jointly in
the continuing investigation of the circumstances surrounding the illnesses
in Maryland.  No other cases connected to the Asian Best products have been
reported.  CDC said there was no indication the outbreak would spread.
  The implicated coconut milk is shipped to the United States frozen in
eight-ounce plastic bags.  Its label identifies it as Asian Best Frozen Fresh
Coconut Milk.  The label also names the exporter, Jack Hong Co., Ltd.,
Bangkok, Thailand, and the EastLand Food Corp. of Columbia, Md. as the
importer and distributor of the product.  FDA has not yet determined if other
distributors ship the same product under other brand names.  The manufacturer,
Champ Group Enterprises, is not named on the label.
  The product is not pasteurized (heat treated), and it does not display a
production code or expiration date.  Thorough cooking, but not freezing,
destroys the cholera organism.  The label tells users to keep it frozen until
used. EastLand Food Corp., which initiated a voluntary recall on Sept. 20,
ships its products to some 600 retail outlets in 23 states east of the
Mississippi River, chiefly Asian specialty stores that cater to the Southeast
Asian community.  Approximately 400 cases, with 80 eight-ounce plastic bags
to a case, have been distributed by the EastLand Corp. this year.

                                   -MORE-


                                                  Page 3, Coconut Milk, T91-59
  Besides the cholera organism, FDA analyses have found Salmonella in Asian
Best frozen coconut candy, prompting FDA's decision to detain all coconut
products produced by Champ Group Enterprises.  However, canned and dry coconut
products from most sources are considered safe for distribution.
  State and federal public health officials are advising consumers who have
any of the Asian Best Frozen Coconut Milk and candies to return them to their
local health department for safe disposal.

                                    ####
</PRE>