BOC torches 260 kilos of whitening products

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has destroyed 52 boxes containing 260 kilos of glutathione products that were sent to the Philippines without the required health and import permits, an official said yesterday.

Most of the boxes were sent from Thailand to various consignees and ended up at the Central Mail Exchange Center after being intercepted, according to BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) district collector Mimel Talusan.

The glutathione products, used for skin whitening, have expired and were assessed to be unsafe. They were destroyed at a facility in Trece Martires, Cavite on Sept. 3 and 4, Talusan said.