WORRIED about the possible harmful effects of some ingredients used in food products, a Cebu City councilor urged the Bureau of Food and Drugs (Bfad) to inspect imported food products that were manufactured in China.
Councilor Arsenio Pacaña asked the agency to be vigilant and institute measures to protect consumer health and safety following reports that the Chinese Government ordered the closure of 180 factories in China for engaging in unsafe food production.
Some food manufacturers in that country have reportedly been using industrial chemicals such as formaldehyde, illegal dyes and industrial wax as color additives for their products.
Recycled or expired food were also reportedly used to make candies, pickles, seafood products and juices.
Healthy foods
“It is imperative that appropriate standards and effective regulatory measures be adhered to in order to ensure that foreign food products exported into the country are indeed healthy and fit for human consumption,” Pacaña said.
In a proposed resolution, he also said that the Bfad is the appropriate agency that should look into the reported importing, display and sale of Chinese food products in the local market.
Previous incidents
Pacaña recalled that food inspectors in Europe, US and China have previously rejected exported food products after they were found to contain high levels of toxins and industrial chemicals.
International concerns over the safety of food products coming from Asia also grew as a result of the discovery.
“Since there have been incidents in the past where our local authorities have confiscated truck loads of expired imported food products and hot meat from banned countries, it bolters the public call for Bfad to be more vigilant by conducting a thorough inspection of foreign food products sold in the market,” said Pacaña.
His resolution will be tackled by the 11th Sangguniang Panglungsod during their first regular session on Wednesday. (LCR)
