Press Release
October 4, 2008

'GOVERNMENT SHOULD CURB SELLING OF ALL SMUGGLED FOOD NOT JUST TAINTED MILK'--KIKO

Senate Majority Leader and independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today said that the recent discovery of smuggled milk from China should force the government to finally deal with illegally-imported food.

"This is a problem that should have been dealt with a long time ago. Potential harm is not confined to melamine-laced milk products but any unmonitored food product that enters the market. A few years back, the government was given a wakeup call on smuggled diet pills laced with shabu. Are we waiting for another such controversy before we take action? Government agencies should be pro-active and not reactive. Do they always need to be reminded by the public and the media about what needs to be done?," asked the senator.

Food items from unknown foreign sources are sold at very cheap prices in flea markets. In light of the international tainted-milk scare, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) has admitted that it remains helpless in preventing the sale and distribution of smuggled food. Last Friday, Malacañang asked the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to explain how two Chinese milk brands positive for melamine were able to enter the country.

"Right now, the government seems to be working on emergency mode. Efforts have been focused only on tainted milk. Let me repeat my warning to the BFAD that it and other similar agencies are criminally liable for any injury or death caused not only by tainted milk products but also by any smuggled food. Its mandate is to protect the public especially when such products are openly and freely sold in clear view of law enforcers. Bakit naman aasahan natin na ang mamimili pa ang dapat mag-ingat kung wala namang nagbabawal sa pagtitinda ng mga eto sa merkado? In itself, the proliferation of smuggled goods gives the public a false sense of security. For this reason, the government is also morally liable," concluded Kiko.

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