LKI 51st Press Statement
OCTOBER 27, 2019
FOOD SAFETY ACT PUT TO TEST, WARNS CONTAMINATED FOOD PRODUCTS IS UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION – LABAN KONSYUMER
In a statement by consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI), LKI President Vic Dimagiba stated that “based on governmemt findings,
vinegar were tested with synthetic ingredients and processed meat products tested as contaminated or adulterated with the ASF virus “
LKI explained that “These results were gathered from the regulatory agencies. Our group wishes to send out a public service announcement informing consumers that both are unfit for human consumption.”
Dimagiba pointed out that “The case of the vinegar with synthetic ingredients had ‘died a natural death’ and the much publicized PNRI test results did not go as far as informing consumers what and who are the brand owners were.”
LKI warned that “Neither are consumers informed whether cases of mislabeling or misbranding were filed against the brand owners.”
At that time, LKI and other consumer groups had called for the regulatory agencies to disclose the identity of the brands. For reasons known only to the brand owners and the regulatory agencies, consumers were not informed whether administrative cases were filed against the brand owners.
Dimagiba expounded, “For the 2nd time, another government test laboratory tested processed meat as contaminated with the ASF virus but had been defending against all odds why they cannot or are not ready to identify the product owner. More tests are forthcoming.”
LKI then highlighted further that “over the weekend, a popular brand owner made public voluntary recall of their products effective Oct. 26 until such time as the tests confirm that their products are ASF free.”
Dimagiba questioned if this development will put more pressure on the regulatory agencies to make public disclosure of the product identification. He asked “What if the tested asf positive meat products turn out to be another brand?”
LKI recently made media announcements in the past week that regulatory agencies should disclose the identity of the tested product, and to go thru the process of law, in order to take appropriate action as necessary.
On Saturday, Dimagiba put into writing their call for disclosure in a letter addressed to Usec. Ariel Cayanan of the Agriculture Department and Dr. USEC Eric Domingo of the DOH. USEC Cayanan had acknowledged receipt of the latter.
In the letter, Laban Konsyumer cited sections 8 and 11 b of the Food Safety Act as the legal basis for the regulatory agencies to inform consumers and to be transparent on matters affecting food safety.
In conclusion, Dimagiba proclaimed “Hopefully, the regulatory agencies will do their job as required by the Food Safety Law.”
Attached for reference is the letter to Usec Cayanan and Dr. Usec. Domingo.