FDA alerts public against ‘unregistered’ food products due to safety risks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to the public regarding the purchase and use of unregistered products that have not undergone its evaluation process.

As of Thursday, Sept. 7, the FDA has identified 11 food products that are “not considered safe.”

Unregistered food products, as per FDA, include "WHITE ROSE BRAND Food Flavoring Pineapple Flavor,” "Beverages with Blue and White Label in Plastic Bottle with Images of Pineapple, Grapes, Peach, and Lime (In a Foreign Language),” “TROPICAL HARVEST Iodized Salt,” “SUN BLOSSOM Multi-Color Sago-Big,” “PANTRY ESSENTIALS Brown Sugar,” “SUN BLOSSOM Pure Cocoa Powder,” “LEE SUPER PLAZA Candy Gummy Jelly Beans,” “NELLY’S Coco Candy,” “CULINARY SELECT HERBS & SPICES Asuete,” “SUNFLOWER Haw Flake (In Foreign Language),” and “NAVETA Pure Organic Barley.”

The FDA verified through online monitoring or post-marketing surveillance that these food products are “not registered” and that no corresponding Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) has been issued.

Under Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as the "Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,” FDA reiterated that the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of health products without the proper authorization is prohibited.

Since these food products did not undergo the FDA's evaluation process, the agency said it cannot ensure its quality and safety.

Meanwhile, the FDA has also warned all concerned establishments not to distribute, advertise, or sell these "violative food products" until they obtain the required Product Notification Certificate.

Failure to comply may result in regulatory actions and sanctions, the FDA said. (Zekinah Elize Espina)