NBI raids factory of fake kiddie vitamins mixed in washing machine 

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives busted a factory of fake kiddie vitamins that are being prepared in a washing machine in Arayat, Pampanga. 

According to John Consulta’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the raid stemmed from a complaint by one of the factory’s former employees. 

But what stunned the operatives was the washing machine where the raw materials like sugar, food coloring, and food flavoring were being mixed to formulate the fake supplement for children. 

The NBI said that the counterfeit vitamins are not only being supplied in Central Luzon but also in the Visayas and Mindanao. 

“Napaka-unsanitary ng kanilang ginagawa. Unregistered ang mga contents nito. Flavoring lang, asukal, ayun lang. Wala talagang bitaminang nakukuha dito,” said Jun Capreso of NBI Central Luzon. 

(What they are doing was very unsanitary. They are using unregistered content. The vitamins are just composed of flavoring and sugar, nothing else. There are no vitamins found here.) 

The counterfeit vitamins have been manufactured for almost 20 years, the report said. 

The operatives were able to seize P400,000 worth of the fake vitamin syrup from the factory. 

“Nung una kinopya nila doon sa original na gumagawa ng vitamin C. Pero habang tumatagal na sila, nagpapalit sila ng brand,” said Capreso. 

(At first, they just copied the formula of the original vitamin C brand. But as time goes by, they change brands.)

The authorities arrested the owner of the factory, who is now facing charges of violation of Republic Act No. 9711 or the “Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.” 

Authorities remind the public to only buy vitamins and medicines from legitimate drug stores.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News