Cops go after counterfeit ‘sinigang’ mix

Authorities have seized counterfeit food seasoning and meal flavoring products worth P3.5 million in separate raids in Tondo, Manila; Caloocan City; and Quezon City earlier this week.

The Philippine National Police said members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confiscated 324,933 packs of “fake” Maggi Magic Sarap products of Nestle Philippines and 181,459 pieces of Knorr Sinigang mix products of Unilever Philippines.

The raids were led by the CIDG Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Division (AFCCD) headed by Supt. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

Acorda said the CIDG, along with representatives from Nestle and Unilever, raided a warehouse in Tondo, the Balintawak Public Market in Quezon City, and a warehouse in Vista Verde North Subdivision in Caloocan City on October 22 and 23.

The confiscated products are now stored in a third-party bonded warehouse in Parañaque City for temporary safekeeping, Acorda said.

Acorda said the owners of the raided establishments would be charged with violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Anti-Unfair Competition Law.

He added that with the coming holiday season, the CIDG would intensify its crackdown on importers and distributors of these fake products also to protect public health.—Nikko Dizon