The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory banning several food products from Taiwan.
According to the FDA, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore reported that the food products tested were contaminated with maleic acid.
The following products from Taiwan have been identified, but are NOT registered with the FDA: 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; and
Long Kow Rice Noodle with Thick Soup.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan government has already taken action against the food manufacturers and suspended the sale and distribution of maleic acid-contaminated products.
Likewise, the FDA said that 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 shall continue to monitor the entry of food products from Taiwan in the Philippine market.
Maleic acid is NOT an approved additive for manufacturing food products. Long term consumption of high levels of maleic acid could harm the kidney.
Pursuant to Article 10, entitled “Injurious, Dangerous and Unsafe Products,” of RA No. 7394, otherwise known as the “Consumer Act of the Philippines,” and Section 10 of RA No. 9711, or “FDA Act of 2009,” which prohibits the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of any health product that is adulterated, unregistered or misbranded, products contaminated with maleic acid are considered illegal.
All consumers are advised to buy and consume products that are registered with the FDA. All registered food products are listed in the FDA website (http://www.fda.gov.ph) under the Consumers Corner. For assistance, information and complaints, kindly email FDA atinfo@fda.gov.ph. (DOH-FDA)
