By Analou de Vera
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered food retailing stores that all alcoholic beverages should be displayed in a certain area and must have a proper signage.
"All alcoholic beverages, regardless of type of packaging, shall only be displayed in designated conspicuous area in all convenience stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, groceries, and other food retailing stores with prominent signage 'ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES,'" the FDA said in its Circular No. 2019-006.
"Other beverages with alcohol regardless of level of alcohol content like alcopop (flavoured beverage with alcohol content) shall likewise be displayed in this same designated area. These beverages shall not be displayed together with other products like juice drinks and must not be accessible to children," it added.
The FDA said that it issued the guidelines in order to protect consumers, particularly children, since there are innovations in packaging and marketing of alcoholic beverages.
"Food packaging technology and market innovation concerning stand-up pouch, flexible, tetra pack, and similar packaging materials are now evolving in both the international and local market," it said
The FDA also noted that owners of 'sari-sari' stores are also expected to comply with the set guidelines.
"Owners or operators of sari-sari stores which may not have enough space to designate an area for alcoholic beverages and other beverages with alcohol content shall be responsible to ensure that subject beverages are not sold to minors (below 18 years old)," it said.
The FDA also noted that the promotional and advertising materials on alcoholic beverages should be clearly stated or must inform the consumers that the product contain an alcohol.
The agency added that packaging and labelling materials "shall not be appealing to children."
"The FDA is enjoining all concerned, including local government units having jurisdiction on sari-sari stores, convenience stores, groceries, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and other similar food retailing stores to strictly implement these guidelines," the agency said.