PHL bans 15 food products from Taiwan for unapproved acid content

Philippine health authorities over the weekend banned 15 food products from Taiwan that were found to contain maleic acid, an unapproved food additive that could potentially harm the kidney.

 

In an advisory dated June 6, the Food and Drug Administration said even Taiwan's government suspended the sale and distribution of such contaminated products.

 

"Maleic acid is NOT an approved additive for manufacturing food products. Long term consumption of high levels of maleic acid could harm the kidney," the FDA said in its advisory.

 

The FDA noted Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority reported the contamination after testing the products. It identified the 15 products as:

 

- Hong Tapioca Starch

- Redman Black Tapioca Pearl

- Sun Right Indica Rice Powder

- Top 1 Tapioca Pearls

- Tea World Tapioca Starch Ball

- Unbranded Starch Ball

- Ding Long Tapioca Pearls

- Sun Chi Noodles

- T & M Resources Corp Tapioca Pearls

- Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (White)

- Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (Black)

- Full Free Green Tea Tapioca Ball

- Full Free Yam Tapioca Ball

- Long Kow Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle

- Long Kow Rice Noodle with Thick Soup

 

"The ban shall continue to remain in force and in effect until such time that these products are first registered in the country by an FDA-licensed food establishment with proper testing of presence/absence of maleic acid to the said products," the FDA said.

 

It cited Article 10 of Republic Act 7394, the “Consumer Act of the Philippines,” and Section 10 of Republic Act 9711, the “FDA Act of 2009,” which prohibits the importation and sale of any health product that is "adulterated, unregistered or misbranded, products contaminated with maleic acid are considered illegal."

 

Meanwhile, the FDA said it shall continue to monitor the entry of food products from Taiwan in the Philippine market.

 

The FDA advised consumers to buy and consume products that are registered with the FDA, which are listed on its website (www.fda.gov.ph) under the Consumers Corner.

 

Consumers seeking assistance, information and complaints may email FDA at info@fda.gov.ph. — ELR, GMA News