FDA warns vs unregistered food supplement

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday advised all consumers to be watchful against an unregistered food supplement being sold in the country, primarily in Cagayan de Oro City.

In FDA Advisory 2014-006, FDA acting Director General Kenneth Hartigan-Go said they have been alerted by a consumer that Sehat Badan is being peddled in the market although it is not registered with the agency.

Go said this prompted FDA’s field regulatory officers to conduct “product monitoring” and confirmed the report.

“Initial evaluation of the product showed that the label has no English translation, hence in violation of Administrative Order 88-B s. 1984 or the rules and regulations governing the labeling of pre-packaged food products distributed in the Philippines,” he said.

Sehat Badan is being advertised online as a herbal drink that “promotes and enhances general well-being and treats various diseases” like asthma, urinary stones, allergy, impotence, rheumatism, toothache, and ulcer.

He said products marketed as food supplements without English translation pose harm to consumers who “will have no better understanding of the true nature of the health product they purchased.”

Go said these products did not pass the FDA standards for safety and quality, thus public health is at stake.