NBI warns public vs fake vitamins after Pampanga raid

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Luzon raided a house in Arayat, Pampanga, and uncovered the manufacturing of fake vitamins sold in various parts of the country. (Contributed photo)

OLONGAPO CITY — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has warned the public to be cautious when buying vitamins or other products sold at unusually low prices, as these may be counterfeit.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, NBI Central Luzon Senior Agent Don Syrel Bati said that authorities recently raided a house in Arayat town, Pampanga, that had been producing and selling fake children’s vitamins for over 20 years.

According to Bati, the operation was carried out after a former employee of the company reported the illegal activity.

“We found a way to get a sample because we couldn’t buy from them directly, as they were likely taking precautions. We then verified it with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Bati.

The FDA confirmed that the company lacked a license to operate and that its brand name, Nutrivit-C, was unregistered.

During the raid, authorities found 20 boxes of fake vitamins — both labeled and unlabeled — as well as a washing machine allegedly used by employees to mix raw ingredients like sugar, food coloring, and flavoring to create fake vitamins for children.

“The washing machine still had orange flavor residue, so it’s clear this is where they were producing the vitamins,” Bati added.

Washing machine as mixer

Nutrivit-C was reportedly sold for P450 and was marketed door-to-door, not only in Central Luzon but also in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao. The company regularly changed the product name and label to appear as a “new” brand.

“Our advice to the public is to avoid buying vitamins or medicines, especially if the price seems too low, even if they claim to be registered,” said Bati.

The company’s owner now faces charges for violating Republic Act No. 9711, the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.

READ: FDA warns public on fake vitamins sold online