Saturday, July 21, 2007 Warning v. White Rabbit candies reaches Negros Occidental By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
AN ADVICE against the selling and consumption of White Rabbit candies reportedly made in China has already reached Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
This was after Maricon Gebrusin-Dimatulac, regulation officer of the Bureau of Foods and Drugs (Bfad) Negros, on Thursday formalized her warning against public’s consumption of White Rabbit candies tagged to have “deadly ingredient” like formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde, according to medical research, is common to the chemical industry.
The 11th Report on Carcinogens classifies it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
It is also well known as a preservative in medical laboratories, as an embalming fluid, and as a sterilizer. Its primary use is in the production of resins and as a chemical intermediate.
Just recently, reports from Manila disclosed that almost all White Rabbit candies that are made in China, were pulled out of the markets after they were found out to be positive of formaldehyde.
Candies having this formaldehyde are classified to be under adulterated foods, explained Dimatulac.
But these may not be illegal or its possession cannot be criminalized except that it is highly hazardous to human health.
Dimatulac also explained that formaldehyde in its lesser potency can cause skin infections such eczema.
While its higher dosage of intake can be carcinogenic (cancerous) to brain, lung and blood.
“That’s why the public is strongly warned against buying these “White Rabbit” candies,” Dimatulac said.
Dimatulac further explained, “Technically, what will make the sale of these White Rabbit illegal is when these are sold in retail outlets without Bfad licenses.
“Selling items containing formaldehyde, and after receiving the formal advisory from Bfad, we immediately deal it with corresponding warning, reprimand or revocation of business license(s),” she said.
This as Dimatulac stressed that Bfad has a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local police to check now the proliferation of food items containing all kinds of hazardous ingredients.
Violation of such may face apprehension or stiffer penalty as specified under the law, she added.
