MANILA, Philippines ? The Department of Health, citing initial test results from the Food and Drug Administration, said Tuesday that Turkish flour was not toxic and therefore fit for human consumption.

In a press statement, the DOH said, however, that ?despite these initial findings, the FDA will conduct more thorough tests? on flour imported from Turkey.

Results of these tests ?will be released soon,? the health department said.

DOH Sec. Esperanza Cabral, meanwhile, reassured the public that the agency was ?on top of the situation.?

?If and when it is proven that Turkish flour is indeed unsafe, they can expect us to take immediate decision and action,? Cabral said.

According to the DOH, six flour samples from Central Visayas and the National Capital Region were collected from March 9-22. These underwent laboratory analysis on March 27.

?Five of the flour samples were imported from Turkey while one was from a local source. Initial results [showed] that none of the samples had concentrations of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin above the allowable limits,? the DOH disclosed.

News reports that ?substandard flour from Turkey that contain toxic substances are being dumped in the Philippines and used to make food products such as bread and noodles? had prompted the DOH to conduct the tests.