CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Central Luzon has issued an advisory on 14 products from Taiwan, after these were found contaminated with maleic acid by Singapore’s Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).
Melinda Hilario, FDA drug regulation officer, said in an interview yesterday that even in Taiwan, authorities have already taken action against the food manufacturers and already suspended the sale and distribution of the products.
“We urge consumers not only to refrain from buying the products which might have reached our region, but also report to us so that proper action can be done,” Hilario said, noting that the products were definitely not registered with her agency.
The banned products were either tapioca “pearls” used for ice shaved refreshments or noodles.
The products, as identified by AVA, included an unbranded starch ball, Hong Tapioca Starch, Redman Black Tapioca Pearl, Sun Right Indica Rice Powder, Top 1 Tapioca Pearls, Tea World Tapioca Starch Ball, Ding Long Tapioca Pearls, Sun Chi Noodles, T & M Resources Corp. Tapioca Pearls, Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (white or black), Full Free Green Tea Tapioca Ball, Full Free Yam Tapioca Ball, Long Kow Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle, and Long Kow Rice Noodle with thick soup.
The FDA advisory, based largely on information from AVA, noted that “maleic acid is not an approved additive for manufacturing food products. Long term consumption of high levels of maleic acid could harm the kidney.”
Hilario noted that distribution, sale and even promotion of the products violate the Consumer Act of the Philippines. She noted that there have been no reports of the products being seen in local markets, but admitted that the FDA does not have enough personnel for full monitoring of food products.
“All consumers are advised to buy and consume only products that are registered with the FDA,” the FDA said, as it urged consumers to access its website www.http://fda.gov.ph for the list of products registered with the agency.
