THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7) is investigating the Lapu Lapu City-based company that was blamed for exporting scallops that caused a Hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii.
Elvie Flores of the Fisheries Regulatory and Law Enforcement Division of BFAR-7 said that members from the laboratory and legal teams arrived in Lapu-Lapu City last week and investigated De Oro Resources Inc.
“Our central office has also ordered the suspension of De Oro Resources Inc., in exporting scallops while investigation is still ongoing,” Flores said in a phone interview.
Before the scallops would be transported to other countries, Flores said that these would undergo laboratory analysis.
“The laboratory analysis will identify if the scallops are positive with coliform and if it is fit for consumption,” she added.
When asked why the scallops that caused the Hepatitis A passed the screening, Flores said that this would be found out in the investigation by their central office.
According to the World Health Organization, hepatitis A which is a viral liver disease, could be transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water.