At a supermarket, rows of colourful apples — red, yellow and green — are on display. Above the baskets, a sign reads: "Our Granny Smith and Gala apples are not supplied from Bidart Bros. They meet export standards and are safe to eat."
Fruits with clear labels serve to identify sources of origin, as well as aid in tracing and recalling products should it be required.
In the past few weeks, Thais have been on high alert regarding the fleshy fruit after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning regarding contaminated Gala and Granny Smith apples. These apples, sold under the names "Granny's Best" and "Big B", came from California-based supplier Bidart Bros.
Two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were confirmed in the supplier's processing plant, according to the FDA. The majority of people affected became ill after consuming packaged caramel-coated apples last month. Seven people in the US died as a result of the outbreak.
A spark of paranoia was ignited after the warning reached Thailand, but Prapon Angtrakul, deputy secretary-general of the Thai FDA, said there is no need for the general consumer to be overly concerned.
"If your immune system is not weak, and if you're not over 65 years old, a newborn or pregnant, the risk is very low. If this bacterium finds its way into people with higher health risks, it could be dangerous. For generally healthy people, however, it's not that much of a worry," Prapon said.
A sign at a supermarket assures its patrons that no contaminated apples are being sold.
"Listeria can be found anywhere," added Prapon, "Don't panic. It's not Ebola or anything new. Every country has it — it can cause food poisoning."
The listeria bacterium can be found naturally in the environment. It may contaminate edibles such as milk, poultry, fruits and vegetables, as well as soil, dirty water and garbage.
The Thai FDA has reported that the contaminated apples did not cross into Thailand.
"For the past two months, no Granny's Best or Big B apples have been imported," said Prapon. "The two brands [Granny's Best and Big B] are currently banned from our country. Additionally, Granny Smith and Gala apples from other brands will undergo random inspection."
This screening process, according to Saree Aongsomwang, secretary of the Foundation for Consumers, is an important procedure that ensures the safety of Thai people.
"You can't judge these things with your eyes alone," said Saree. "It is bacteria — you need to test for it. This is to ensure the consumer's safety, and the information — of the inspection results and quarantine — should be made available to the public. This is so any contaminated goods can be removed from the markets as quickly as possible."
Should any contaminated goods happen to cross the border, Saree suggested that a traceability procedure, similar to that practiced in Europe, be adopted.
"We should be able to trace where all the shipments are being sent. For example, if we export coriander to Europe and it happens to carry salmonella, within 24 hours, 27 countries would know exactly to what markets that batch was sent. This is the procedure we should follow."
While contaminated goods have yet to cross the Thai border, a measure of prevention can — and should — be adopted.
This doesn't apply only to apples, but to anything edible.
Asst Prof Chaniphun Butryee, deputy director of the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University, suggested that washing fruits and vegetables with running water, while rubbing the produce by hand, helps remove bacteria and chemical residue. This is more effective than soaking produce.
After thorough washing, it is recommended to then peel the fruit or vegetable, even if that means losing fibre.
"To eat unpeeled fruits and vegetables, you have to carefully weigh the pros of nutrition and the cons of contamination and chemicals," said Dr Chaniphun. "It can be pretty risky, unless you can guarantee the fruits you are buying are really organic."
Another safety measure consumers can take is to first look at the products before purchasing. Imported fruits like apples and oranges often come with stickers that label their source of origin.
"When you buy from local fresh food markets or street-side shops, you may find products without stickers. That is quite worrying. You can't tell where those products came from or trace where they've been. If the producer discovers that their products have been contaminated, no one would know to remove them from the market or recall them," Chaniphun said.
"Stickers can't guarantee that products are safer, but they are effective in identifying and informing consumers. You or your doctors can trace it back if you end up suffering from a disease."
The location where goods are purchased is another factor that can determine consumer safety. Some consumers are under the impression that buying from large supermarkets is a safer or healthier choice than fresh food markets. To Prapon, however, there is no clear distinction between the two. Sanitation, instead, is the prime factor.
"Viruses and bacteria are usually found in dirty places. In a well-sanitised place, chances of finding and buying contaminated goods are obviously less," Prapon said.
Chaniphun added that cooking your own meals is also another safety measure consumers can take to ensure they are eating food free from potentially harmful chemicals and bacteria.
"If you cook your own food, many safety measures can be taken. But if you buy processed or takeaway food, you won't know how carefully the fruits and vegetables were washed — let alone if they were washed at all."
