The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental called on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to comply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, or else their products will be pulled out of the market.

DTI-Negros Oriental Director Nimfa Virtucio told the Philippine News Agency that the FDA has started pulling out some products from the market that do not carry the agency’s logo of approval and those that do not have a license to operate and a Certificate of Product Registration.

This is on top of the usual business permits or licenses issued by a local government unit.

Virtucio said the FDA has deputized the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the implementation of the law that requires all products must pass FDA standards and DTI is not directly involved in the campaign.

“Some MSMEs have called our office inquiring about the removal of their products from the shelves of certain supermarkets and grocery stores and we told them that it is not the jurisdiction of the DTI to undertake such measures,” she said.

She added though that they could help MSMEs in facilitating and complying with the standards set by FDA, adding that this may take some time though because of the long process of going through an inspection, examination and other necessary actions.

In support of the strengthened implementation of the law that has been around for 10 years already, Virtucio said the DTI will no longer accept and include products that are not FDA-accredited in their trade fairs and other promotional activities.

However, the DTI provincial director pointed out that pulling these products from the market does not necessarily mean they are harmful to humans, except that they need to be FDA-compliant.

She cited some products such as banana chips, homemade foods and even organic skin care products like shampoo and conditioner and liniments that are covered by the law, as well as imported stuff bought online but does not have the FDA requirements.

Even associations or cooperatives that have been organized as beneficiaries of government-funded livelihood programs on food and certain products are now asked to comply with FDA standards, she said. (PNA)