FDA warns of unregistered juice drink

MANILA, Philippines -  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public yesterday against the health claims made by the manufacturer of an unregistered juice drink currently being sold in the market. 

In an advisory, FDA acting director general Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go said the manufacturer of Green Barley is “making false health and therapeutic claims as shown in its advertisement, both in print and digital media.”

Its therapeutic claims include “dengue, cancer, diabetes, leptospirosis, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, rhinitis, impotence, goiter, arterial venous malformation, pre-menstrual tension, menopausal complaints, frequent urination, and myoma, among others,” according to the FDA.

“As an unregistered health product, Green Barley also has unapproved health claims that it heals wounds and treats skin diseases like fungal infections by topically applying the powdered juice on the skin,” Go said.

The product, sold at P275 to P300 per bottle, is distributed by Health Wealth International Corp. and manufactured by Global Partners Inc.  

Go said the registration number – BFAD FR-64136 – used by Green Barley was issued in 2007 and expired in 2009.

He said the product was denied registration twice because the manufacturer cannot fully comply with the FDA’s rules and regulations. Go said they are still evaluating an application for product registration submitted by Global Partners and the product “is not yet authorized” to be sold to the public.