"From 2019 until the third quarter of 2021, the FDA-CFRR has handled 835 reports with majority from consumer complaints arising from product defects (e.g., presence of physical contaminant, sub-par physical appearance, etc.), followed by reports on potentially violative processed food products, and lastly by foodborne disease outbreaks as coordinated by the DOH — Epidemiology Bureau, Epidemiological and Surveillance Units (i.e., Regional, Provincial, City/Municipal).
All cases are handled without undue delay. The factors being checked when handling reports are the following:
a. Status of authorizations (e.g., License-to-Operate, Certificate of Product Registration, Advertisement and Promotions Permit, Export Certificates);
b. Risks involved;
c. Severity and magnitude of exposure to risks; and
d. Non-conformities to standards and regulations.
After evaluating gathered data and evidence, appropriate regulatory action shall be instigated, such as but not limited to sampling, monitoring, laboratory testing, inspection, and/or root cause analysis."
Excerpt from the article of the Food and Drug Administration - Center for Food Regulation and Research (FDA-CFRR) titled "
Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory System" in the 9th issue of the Food Safety Trends PH Magazine. Get a digital copy now by clicking on this link:
https://fliphtml5.com/homepage/pclqq. Understand more about food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic when you get a copy of FSTM's latest issue!
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