BFAD checks suspicious salt in Iloilo markets

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Food and Drugs has started inspecting salt sold in some public markets in Iloilo City following reports the commodity is contaminated. Online news site The News Today reported that the BFAD Western Visayas Regional Director Nenita Gallardo said they are studying samples they gathered. Gallardo said the BFAD central office in Manila will also conduct laboratory checks, but said there is no definite result as of now. Citing reports she received, she said the salt was supposedly contaminated and mixed with a "foreign substance." On the other hand, Gallardo assured the public that BFAD representatives are making the rounds to verify the reports. For his part, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) regional director Jose Cruz denied allegations that the salt was mixed with fertilizer salt. Cruz said fertilizer salt is far from the culprit since such are brown in color, and all distribution to farmers of the fertilizer salt came with the clarification that it is not for cooking. - GMANews.TV