BFAD to inspect manufacturing facilities for tainted milk products

MANILA, Philippines - After conducting surprise inspections of stores selling melamine-contaminated milk from China, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) is eyeing inspections on facilities of firms suspected of using such milk - or repacked milk - as ingredients in their products. BFAD head Leticia Gutierrez said Friday they will base the inspections on a list of firms using such milk or milk products as ingredients. "Ang inspector namin pag nag-inspect sa manufacturing facilities, titingnan di lang ang quality ng components, pati saan nanggaling (Our inspectors will look not just at the quality of the ingredients but also their country of origin)," Gutierrez said in an interview on dwIZ radio. She said she discussed the matter with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, noting some manufacturers may be scrimping on costs by buying milk from China or cheaper repacked milk. Gutierrez also admitted that while this was not normal practice, this was necessary because of the melamine contamination scare. On the other hand, she said the BFAD has started drawing up a list of products that the public should avoid buying for the moment. "Ginagawa na namin yan. Magpapalabas kami ng listahan na dapat pagingatan ng mamamayan natin. Hangga't maaari huwag bilhin at huwag ipakain (We're working on it. We will come out with the list of products to be wary of or to avoid altogether)," she said. In the meantime, she reiterated the BFAD's advice to the public not to buy milk or milk-based products from China. She also said the BFAD will continue with its surprise visits, including market monitoring, nationwide. - GMANews.TV