PNP Seizes Over P1.6 Million in Unregistered Beverages in San Simon Warehouse Raid
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced a significant crackdown on illegal food products, seizing more than P1.6 million worth of unregistered energy and chocolate milk drinks from a warehouse in San Simon town. The operation, conducted on Monday, resulted in the arrest of five Chinese nationals involved in the alleged illicit trade.
Details of the Seized Contraband
During the raid, authorities recovered a substantial haul of beverages that were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, police confiscated 1,124 cases of energy drinks and 3,052 boxes of chocolate milk drinks. The estimated value of these items totals approximately P1.169 million, highlighting the scale of the illegal operation.
Health Risks and Legal Violations
The PNP emphasized that the seized drinks pose serious health risks to consumers, as they lack the necessary FDA approvals ensuring safety and quality standards. This underscores the importance of regulatory compliance in the food and beverage industry to protect public health.
Cases are being prepared against the arrested foreign nationals for violations of Republic Act 9711, the FDA Act of 2009, which mandates registration of food products, as well as the Philippine Immigration Act. The operation was initiated based on intelligence reports about the widespread sale of unregistered food products in the area, demonstrating proactive law enforcement efforts.
Ongoing Investigation and Custody
All seized products are currently under the custody of the PNP, pending further investigation and legal proceedings. This step ensures that the evidence is preserved and that appropriate actions can be taken to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in regulating food safety in the Philippines and the critical role of agencies like the FDA in safeguarding consumer welfare.
