Some local shops don’t check on safety of imported products

September 23, 2008

By Lizanilla J. Amarga

A number of attendants from local shops that sell imported products admitted that they are clueless as to whether an imported food or drug product is unsafe for human consumption or has been recalled by its manufacturers.

Also, they disclosed that no personnel from the regional office of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD-10) or Department of Health (DOH-10) ever visited them to check their imported food products that range from candies, junk foods, noodles and canned goods.

Their statements came as another baby who took in the imported milk formula called “Sanlu” was declared dead by authorities yesterday. There are now three babies and some 1,200 who got sick because of this imported product from China.

Local city officials are now gearing up for the creation of a body or taskforce that will monitor imported products being sold locally.

Sarah and Jane, not their real names, said they just display the imported products that were sent to them by their employers who are residing abroad.

They said they are oriented as to what the products can supposedly do but there is not much independent information as to its side effects.

Sarah who works in a store for imported goods located at the Cogon Public Market area said their manager has instructed them to tell buyers that there are no negative side effects to these products as they are only food supplements or has no therapeutic effect.

“Ug kung nay mobalik ug reklamo ingnon lang namo nga normal na kay ni epekto na ang product (And if there is really someone who will return to complain about the product, we will have to tell them that this is just normal as the product is taking effect),” she told Gold Star Daily.

Jane who works in another store for imported goods said not a single representative from the BFAD-10 or DOH-10 has ever visited their store since she has started working for her employers the past five.

She added that there are some personnel from the City Hall who visits them regularly but it is only to collect their tax and check their permits.

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