FDA releases list of registered lambanog brands, warns vs. unlisted drinks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the consumers against buying lambanog products that are not registered to the agency, amid the rising number of reported deaths allegedly linked to drinking the said alcoholic beverage.

"Products that are not registered with the FDA pose potential health hazards to the consuming public since they have not gone through the agency's evaluation and testing. Thus, the FDA cannot guarantee their quality and safety," FDA said in an advisory.

The FDA has released a list of the registered lambanog brands in the country:

• Philippine Firewater Lakan (for export market)
• Supremo Philippine Firewater (for export market)
• Firewater
• Philippine Firewater Lakan
• Philippine Firewater
• Supremo Philippine Firewater
• San Juan
• Ram-Ciel Lambanog
• San Juan Lambanog
• San Juan Premium Lambanog

A recent FDA study found high levels of methanol in samples of the lambanog taken  by drinkers who died in Laguna, Antipolo, and Pampanga.

The intake of methanol may cause blindness and permanent neurologic dysfunction and may lead to death.

FDA said it continues to monitor and inspect other lambanog products being sold in the market. These will be subjected to product registration verification, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Retail outlets and sellers of unregistered lambanog were warned, as concerned local government units and law enforcements agencies were also tapped by the FDA in the endeavor of eliminating hazardous alcoholic beverages in the market.

"FDA will be filing cases against the identified peddlers of these unregistered, out of specs, and/or adulterated alcoholic beverages... especially those involved or connected with the deaths allegedly caused by these unregistered products," the FDA said.

Among the cases that sellers of unregistered lambanog may face are violations of the FDA Act of 2009 and Food Safety Act of 2013. —NB, GMA News