MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against the purchase and consumption of what it called “unregistered food products,” including brown and refined sugar with SM Bonus branding.
On Wednesday, SM Markets said it will pull out the sugar products mentioned in the FDA Advisory No. 2020-1927 dated October 22 and posted on social media Tuesday night.
In the advisory, the FDA listed the following as unregistered food products:
– Melvan Ginger Brew with Turmeric and Lemongrass, 250g
– Sweet Valley Freeze Dried Cranberry Coated with Milk Chocolate
– Lorenzo Farm Dark Chocolate, 55g
– SM Bonus Brown Sugar
– SM Bonus Refined Sugar
“The FDA verified through post-marketing surveillance that the above mentioned food products are not registered and no corresponding Certificates of Product Registration (CPR) have been issued,” the agency said.
It said that pursuant to Republic Act No. 9711 or 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 proper authorization is prohibited.
“Since these unregistered food products have not gone through evaluation process of the FDA, the agency cannot assure its quality and safety,” it added.
FDA also warned all concerned establishments not to distribute, advertise, or sell the “violative” food products until CPRs are issued. Otherwise, it will pursue regulatory actions and sanctions.
All law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and local government units were also requested to ensure that these products are not sold or made available in their market or areas of jurisdiction.
The Bureau of Customs was likewise urged to restrain the entry of the unregistered imported products.
SM Markets, in a statement, vowed to meet the FDA registration requirements on the sugar products.
“We are pulling out SM Bonus Sugar products mentioned in the FDA circular advisory No. 2020-1927 until such time that our supplier is able to meet FDA registration requirements,” SM Markets said.
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