Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 22) — “Salty” instant noodles will be taken off retail markets’ shelves once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a recall order, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Friday.
DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Ruth Castelo said the department has endorsed the issue of instant noodles containing high sodium levels to FDA and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Kapag nakapaglabas na ng recall order ang FDA, katulong nila ang DTI sa pag-enforce nito,” Castelo said in a Laging Handa briefing.
[Translation: Once the FDA releases a recall order, DTI will help them enforce it]
The issue of instant noodles containing high sodium (or salt) content was raised by Senator Raffy Tulfo during the department’s recent budget hearing.
Citing health experts, Tulfo said some instant noodle brands have 1,600 milligrams (mg) sodium content. He said a person can consume 2,000 mg of sodium per day.
The senator cited Article 10 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines which stated that if products are found to be unsafe or dangerous, the department can “make the appropriate order for its recall, prohibition or seizure from public sale or distribution.”
Castelo, later on, thanked the senator and said his concern alerted the department.
“Actually, nagpapasalamat kami kay (we thank) Senator Tulfo for bringing this up in the budget hearing…medyo na-alerto din ang DTI (The DTI was alerted),” the undersecretary said.
Immediately after the hearing, Castelo said DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual endorsed it to FDA as well as DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire so the departments can investigate the sodium content.
