Expired Noche Buena items seized in Quiapo

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities confiscated more than P30,000 worth of expired Noche Buena items during a raid in Quiapo, Manila on Tuesday afternoon.

Agents of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Regulation Enforcement Unit and Regional Mobile Force Battalion swooped down on three stalls at the corner of Villalobos and Carlos Palanca streets where they seized processed food products of a popular company at around 2:20 p.m.

Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) joined the operation.

The raiders said the expired food products include queso de bola, cheddar cheese, margarine, all-around cheese mix, tomato catsup, spaghetti sauce, chicken nuggets, coffee and flour.

The FDA said the products are nearing expiration and vendors altered the expiry dates to make it appear that the items are new.

The items were sealed by the FDA and brought to its main office for proper disposition. 

NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said the operation stemmed from reports received by the FDA that expired food products were being sold in Quiapo.

He urged the public to report to authorities vendors selling expired food products, which pose health risks.