AFTER the wrongly-labeled herbal supplements got the attention of the Department of Health (DOH), those without labels are now being targeted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In a one-page advisory, FDA Director Nazarita Tacandong reminded the public not to patronize herbal products that are without labels.
“Mag-ingat at huwag bumili ng mga produktong herbal na walang label,” said Tacandong.
The health official noted that the lack of label is the best proof that the product has no scientific research that could prove that it is safe and effective for public consumption.
The label, Tacandong said, is important since it contains the contents of the product as well as the name and address of the manufacturers.
She noted that the FDA has been receiving complaints and reports regarding unlabeled herbal products having negative effects to one’s body.
“Ang publiko ay pinaaalalahanan na mag-ingat at huwag uminom o gumamit ng mga produktong ito,” reiterated Tacandong.
It was last May when the DOH issued Administrative Order (AO) 2010-0008, which states that all labels and marketing materials for food/dietary supplements should carry the phrase “Mahalagang paalala: Ang (name of product) ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit” instead of the previous phrases of “No approved therapeutic claim.”
The order was, however, stopped by the Manila Regional Trial Court when it issued a Preliminary Injunction in response to the case filed by the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (CHIPI).(GN/Sunnex)