Press Release
October 24, 2007

ROXAS: BFAD NEEDS MORE BRAWN
VS CHEMICAL-LADEN PRODUCTS

"BEEF-UP BFAD" PROVISION IN QUALITY, AFFORDABLE MEDICINES BILL

Senator Mar Roxas renewed his call for a stronger Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to protect the public against substandard products, especially those which have dangerous contents.

This after BFAD issued a new advisory that certain candies and other food products imported from China contain formaldehyde last October 18. BFAD ordered the recall and withdrawal from retail shelves of these 11 food products.

"BFAD is crucial in protecting the rights of consumers against substandard and dangerous products. We're glad that they once again took action to recall these unsafe products from the market," he said.

"But there is only so much that BFAD can do with its limited funds, manpower and technological capabilities. Advisories can only go so far, not reaching ordinary consumers. What we need is a beefed-up BFAD armed with the potent tools to protect the public against substandard and unsafe products," he added.

The senator noted that the BFAD only has around 200 personnel doing inspections, 70 of whom are full-time inspectors located in their Manila central office. He noted that BFAD's plan to increase their ranks to 800 inspectors nationwide, as well as to procure more equipment, have been put on hold due to lack of funding.

"We need a BFAD that can make sure that all food and drugs sold--from the bangketa to the hyper-malls--are safe for the public. In the same manner, we call for greater cooperation from all people involved in the market: from vendors to store owners and even up to the mall owners," he stressed.

Roxas said that the proposed Quality Affordable Medicines Act (Senate Bill No. 1658) contains a provision seeking to strengthen the BFAD by allowing it to retain its revenues from fees and other charges. These revenues, which amount to roughly P150 million annually, could be used to enhance the BFAD's human resources and testing facilities.

"The Senate has done its part to ensure access to quality affordable medicines to the public by passing its bill on second reading. We expect the House to pass its own version and we look forward to working with them to ensure the best package of measures for the public," he said.

"Ultimately, this package of tools for quality affordable medicines--and quality food products too--will depend on the executive's exercise of political will," he added.

In an advisory dated October 18 (http://www.bfad.gov.ph/advisory.htm), BFAD identified the following food products from China as containing formaldehyde, and ordered that these be pulled-out:

  • Fat and Thin Lo Han Kou Pei Pa Koa candy
  • Sau Tab Noodle King Dried Mix and Soya Bean Paste
  • Taro Milk (Nature & Nutrition & Healthy Delicious Incomparable!)
  • Natural is Best 200
  • Wang Fu Yuan The Best For You 120
  • Golden Monkey Milk Candy
  • Xinlong Nougat Candy
  • Aoxiang
  • Sheng Long Marshmallow/Bunny Marshmallow
  • Maleng pork luncheon meat
  • Nicefoods Sweet Orange C%

Formaldehyde is a common chemical used in industry for the production of polymers and other compounds, and glues used in manufacturing wood products. It is also used in embalming solutions. It is a toxin, allergen and carcinogen, and is restricted or banned in many countries due to its detrimental effects.

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