FDA warns public against purchase of popular liver spread, other unregistered food products

MANILA (UPDATE) - The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday warned the public against the purchase and consumption of several unregistered food and food supplements.

In an advisory dated Aug. 26 and released on its website on Sept. 16, the following products were unregistered and have no corresponding Certificates of Product Registration:

•  RENO BRAND Liver Spread
•  MIRACLE WHITE Advance Whitening Capsules Food Supplement
•  TURCUMIN 100% Natural & Standardized Turmeric Curcumin
•  DESA Spanish Style Bangus in Corn Oil
• SAMANTHA’S DIPS AND SAUCE Spanish Sardines Paste Sauce

"Since these unregistered food products and food supplements have not gone through evaluation process of the FDA, the agency cannot assure its quality and safety," it said.

According to the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising or sponsorship of health products without the proper authorization is prohibited, the FDA said.

The FDA warned establishments not to distribute, advertise or sell the said "violative" food products until proper certificates are issued, adding that failure to comply could result in "regulatory sanctions."

According to FDA Director Eric Domingo, the above mentioned products were not found in the FDA database. The agency was also surprised that a popular liver spread brand was included in the list, especially since it has been in the market since 1958.

"So in the many years, hindi siguro siya napapansin until one of our regulatory agents decided to counter check. At nung sinabi nila ito actually pina-double check at triple check natin at nung nakita nila, hindi talaga nila mahanap sa ating data base ng mga registered food products," he said.

(“So in the many years, we may have overlooked it until one of our regulatory agents decided to counter check. When they mentioned it, we had it double checked, triple checked, and we really cannot find said products in the database of registered food products.)

Some of the products included in the list, like Miracle White Advance Whitening Capsule Food Supplement, insisted that they are FDA-registered. They have also changed their packaging.

Samatha’s Dips and Sauce, also included in the list, said they are a small business registered with the Department of Trade and Industry. They have decided to terminate their business after being included in the FDA list.

The FDA, however, said the products can be reconsidered as long as the manufacturers show proof of product safety and quality.

"Well sa ngayon po kung hindi sila nakapag-explain ng mahusay, ipapa-recall po natin ang mga produkto na iyan, so kailangang makita natin kung anong mga dokumentasyon na mayroon, at kung mayroon namang assurance na ito ay inirehistro sa FDA at napakita yung kaniyang safety and quality," he said.

(If they cannot explain well, we will have their products recalled so they have to show any documentation, and if they give us assurance that they will have their products registered with the FDA, and proof the saftery and quality of their products.)

Local government units and the Bureau of Customs are ordered to ensure that the said products are not sold and to restrain entry of unregistered products, the agency said.

null

null

- with a report from Jeffrey Hernaez, ABS-CBN News