TEAMS from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Central Luzon, together with the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) and NBI Bulacan District Office raided nine establishments in Bulacan and confiscated almost P300 million in allegedly fake products totaling almost P300 million.
According to the NBI, a multinational company complained about this dangerous process of manufacturing and illegal trademark infringement of their products and then sold in Northern and Southern Luzon.
Among the fake products being manufactured include bath soaps, detergent soaps, shampoos, and dishwashing soaps, among others.
The products are sold or offered on a per kilogram basis and damaged packaging is used as an excuse so that buyers will not know that the products are fake.
The manufacturers are facing cases of violation of Republic Act 9711, the FDA Act of 2009, and Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The FDA, meanwhile, advised the public about fake products.
“Just look at the product label and look for LTO or License to Operate, and whether there is a Certificate of Product Notification or Registration,” according to Gomel Gabuna, the North Luzon Cluster Director of the FDA.
“It is the directive of the new Director General Samuel Zacate is to intensify the information drive to inform the public about the programs of the FDA,” the official added.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bureau of Customs)