PB urges strict monitoring of entry of Chinese candies
The Cebu Provincial Board unanimously approved yesterday two resolutions urging the three government agencies to strictly monitor the entry of China-made products and candies into the province.
The passage of the resolutions came after the recent hospitalization of at least 23 elementary pupils of the
Within few weeks only, another five students from
The board members have asked the Bureau of Food and Drugs, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education to monitor the entry of candies and foods imported from
Local health officials had submitted samples of the candies to the BFAD, which in turned confirmed that such sweets contained formaldehyde, a substance used in embalming.
Board Member Wenceslao Gakit, who authored the both resolutions, said that while the BFAD could not determine the exact amount of formaldehyde present in the sweets, it is “indeed the cause of the children’s illness.”
Quoting Araceli Torres, Food and Drug Regulation Officer IV of the BFAD satellite laboratory, Gakit said formaldehyde should not be found in any food products “because it is a chemical preservative and not a food additive.”
BFAD had already issued a new list of 11 food products from
“The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, in its website, stated that low levels of formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin while large intake of the said substance can cause severe pain, vomiting, coma and possible death,” said Gakit.
Cebu Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Recardo Borgonio had instructed all public school teachers to watch over their students in buying candies or any food sold inside and outside the school premises. — Gerome M. Dalipe/LPM
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