MANILA, (PNA) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered several food products tainted with coloring dyes unregistered and non compliant with food product labeling standards.
These products were collected from ambulant vendors, public markets, groceries and supermarkets across the metro.
Out of the 34 products collected, three turned out positive for NPC Rhodamine B, while five needed further confirmatory tests for the presence of NPC Sudan.
The processed food products which tested for the presence of Rhodamine B were icing candy from Cebu Crown Grocery, red gulaman from Carbon Public Market, and shrimp paste (labeled 7C’s) from Robinson’s Grocery, Talisay, Cebu.
Food processors of the three products are in violation of the FDA Act of 2009 (RA 9711) and the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394) on adulteration of processed food.
The FDA stated that all locally manufactured and imported processed food products to be registered with the FDA in addition to the permits issued by the local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies.
“Rhodamine B1 is a fluorescent dye used as a tracer in water and air flow studies, and in molecular and cell biology studies and it presents as a red to violet powder,” the FDA stated.
“Industrial grade Sudan dye 2 is not permitted for use in food because they are toxic, carcinogenic, and likely contain metals like mercury and arsenic. Sudan dyes are used in shoe and floor polish, solvents, oils, waxes and petrol,” it added.
Consumers are meanwhile advised to buy processed food products from legitimate food establishments and outlets and help the FDA confiscate, recall or close establishments violating these acts.