The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized P4 million worth of unregistered food and health products following a raid on a membership-only supermarket in Manila.
The seized products were either unregistered, misbranded or in violation of labeling standards.
P2-M food items
They included food items worth over P2 million; assorted drugs estimated at P124,569; assorted cosmetics valued at P1.5 million and medical devices worth P229,969.
According to Allen Bantolo, chief of the FDA Regulatory Enforcement Unit, the confiscated products came from abroad and were being offered for sale at Landers Superstore in violation of Republic Act No. 9711, or the FDA Act of 2009.
“These imported products may be registered abroad from legitimate companies. But as long as they are not registered with the FDA, these products are not allowed by our laws to be sold in the local market,” he said.
Following surveillance and test-buys, FDA agents and police personnel raided the Landers Superstore at Otis in Paco, Manila. They served two Summons with Preventive Measure Orders (SPMO) signed by FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno.
Confiscated products
The seized products included imported chocolates, candies, chips, beverages, shampoos, lotions, deodorants, soaps and cleansers.
Also confiscated were mosquito sprays, air deodorants, toilet deodorants, air diffusers and starch sprays.
The seized products were brought to the FDA office in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, for proper disposition.
Administrative case
According to Bantolo, the operation was a result of the filing of an administrative case against the general manager/president of Landers Superstore which, based on the SPMO issued by the FDA, had been ordered to stop selling and offering for sale products covered by the legal order.
“The FDA had also directed the general manager/president of Landers Superstore to file an answer within 10 days from receipt of the SPMO,” he said.