PCA drawing up standard for VCO products

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is now working with virgin coconut oil (VCO) producers to come up with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) requirements of ensuring the quality and safety of the product being sold in the market.

A recent study showed that VCO mixed with meals could reduce COVID-19 symptoms and prevent the progression or severity of the disease, triggering demand for the product.

“Buyers who want to enjoy VCO medicinal benefits, particularly its proven ability as a food supplement against the dreaded COVID-19, should look for products that have a seal of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” PCA administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said.

“What they should look for is the FDA seal or the FDA approval of the product to make sure that these have passed evaluation,” Madrigal said in a virtual press briefing by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

During the briefing the DOST presented the results of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) study on VCO as a food supplement to help treat COVID-19 suspect or other probable cases.

Madrigal hailed the successful VCO study, saying it could encourage further studies for COVID treatment and other diseases.