FDA asks LGUs, law enforcement to crack down on unregistered lambanog

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned the public against the purchase and consumption of brands of lambanog, or distilled coconut sap, which are not registered with the agency.

It also called on stores to stop selling lambanog brands that have not been registered with the agency.

The FDA issued the warning after several persons who drank lambanog died in Laguna and Quezon due to suspected methanol poisoning.

"The public is hereby advised to exercise extreme caution in purchasing and consuming products such as alcoholic beverages that do not have proper labels and are not registered with the FDA," the agency said in a statement.

"Retail outlets, and other dealers of alcoholic beverages, are warned against the sale of unregistered products which is a violation of the FDA Act of 2009 and the Food Safety Act of 2013," it added.

"All local government units and law enforcement agencies are requested to ensure that these products are not sold or made available in their localities or areas of jurisdiction," the FDA said.

The agency released the lambanog brands that have been registered with the FDA.

The FDA said it would conduct laboratory testing of lambanog samples to assess its methanol levels following the deaths of 12 people in Rizal, Laguna after consuming the distilled palm liquor. 

At least two deaths were reported in Quezon.

FDA officer in charge Eric Domingo earlier confirmed methanol poisoning to be the cause of the deaths in Laguna.

The FDA assured the public that it was conducting investigation in coordination with the Department of Health.

“The FDA shall conduct laboratory testing to confirm whether the implicated products contain a high level of the substance methanol,” the agency said. —NB, GMA News