BFAD to verify, evaluate results of products tested in private labs

MANILA, Philippines - While government may allow the testing of milk and milk-based products for melamine by private laboratories, the Bureau of Food and Drugs will still have the last say on the test results. BFAD director Leticia Gutierrez, in a circular, said the BFAD still reserves the right to evaluate and verify the test results of products tested by private labs. "The Bureau also allows the testing/analyses be conducted by reputable testing laboratories abroad. All test results, however, shall be evaluated and verified by BFAD and may be used to meet specific BFAD requirements and other industry requirements whenever necessary," she said in the circular dated Sept. 29 but was posted on the BFAD website only Thursday. She also said clients may utilize the testing capabilities of the recognized laboratories for the testing of melamine in their products. The list of laboratories as posted on the BFAD website included nine "recognized" and five government "counterpart" laboratories. These include: * BIOTECH РCentral Analytical Services Laboratories (CASL) in Los Ba̱os, Laguna; * BIOTECH РPhilippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM) in Los Ba̱os, Laguna; * First Analytical Services & Technical Cooperative (FAST) in Cubao, Quezon City; * Intertek Testing Services, Inc. in Makati City; * Lipa Quality Control Center in Batangas; * Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry, at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City; * Progressive Laboratories in Quezon City; * Sentro sa Pagsusuri, Pagsasanay at Pangasiwang Pang-Agham at Teknolohiya Corp (SENTROTEK) in Mandaluyong City; * SGS Phils Inc. in Makati City; Government counterpart laboratories include: * Food and Nutrition Research Institute; * Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Standards & Testing Division Microbiology Laboratory; * Food Development Center; * Natural Science Research Institute; and * National Dairy Authority. - GMANews.TV