Repacked milk bags surface in Metro Manila markets

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the scare caused by melamine-contaminated milk from China, "repacked" bags of powdered milk are surfacing in markets in Metro Manila, a radio report said Wednesday. Radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported that a random check of markets in northern Metro Manila before dawn Wednesday showed many vendors selling the repacked bags of milk, with vendors shaving off P1 to P2 from the "branded" products. But the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) warned such vendors against this practice, saying it may leave buyers prone to getting adulterated or contaminated milk. "Ang iba sa atin walang konsensya, gusto pang mandaya para dumami ang kanilang kita (Some vendors have no conscience. They want to cheat just to increase their profit)," BFAD director Leticia Gutierrez said in an interview on dzXL radio. She said that while the BFAD discourages such practices, it has sent personnel to monitor and take samples of the repacked milk for analysis. "May possibility nagre-repack sila at magkaroon ng contamination. Delikado magkaroon ng microbial contamination (There is the possibility of contamination. There may be microbial contamination)," she said. - GMANews.TV