By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THERE is a possibility that melamine-laden milk from China will find its way to Western Visayas.

Thus, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) urged the public to be vigilant and report the presence China-made milk products in stores around the region.

Delia Tarrosa, chief of BFAD’s Regulation and Enforcement Division, said grocery stores and establishments registered with their office have already pulled out Chinese branded milk products from their shelves.

But banned items can still be sold in stores that are not registered with the BFAD.

“There are small stores that don’t have permits from our office. The local government units are the only ones who can monitor and control these stores who might sell banned items,” Tarrosa said.

Tarrosa said they are also waiting for the consolidated report of their personnel and local governments around the region on the presence of banned China milk products in the local market.

The BFAD official advised consumers not to buy China milk until the agency has cleared the products of melamine contamination.

The food and drug agency will also seek the help of the Bureau of Customs to intercept at entry ports banned milk items from China.

Owners of stores violating the ban will be fined P300,000 and face imprisonment from six months to one year.

In a media advisory, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is working closely with BFAD in monitoring contaminated milk products in the market.

DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison Maglaya, who is in-charge of the DTI Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulatory Group, said she also directed all DTI regional and provincial Offices to work closely with the Department of Health and local government units (LGUs).

DTI-Iloilo headed by Engr. Wilhelm Malones said they have coordinated with DOH-BFAD, the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Iloilo Chapter, and Iloilo City government in monitoring the entry of banned items.

Francis Chung, PRA-Iloilo president, said none of their chapter members is selling milk products from China allegedly containing melamine.

The BFAD had banned liquid and powdered milk, candy, biscuits, chocolate bars and drinks, and yogurt with dairy components from China.

The ban was imposed amid growing fears over the safety of dairy products made in China where four children have died and more than 50,000 have fallen ill after drinking milk tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.

Melamine has been found in infant formula and other milk products from 22 of China’s dairy companies. Suppliers trying to cut costs are believed to have added it to water-down milk because its high nitrogen content masks the resulting protein deficiency.

Melamine is a toxic chemical used in the manufacture of plastic and glue products. Several babies in China have died and many are suffering from kidney stones after consuming the contaminated milk.