(PH) P1.5M worth of 'fake' canned meat products seized

March 28, 2007

Sun.Star

March 25, 2007

P1.5M worth of 'fake' canned meat products seized

BEFORE feasting on that luncheon meat, make sure that it's pork meat and not cat

or rat meat that you are eating.

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) cracked down a

warehouse in Tondo, Manila storing some 2,000 boxes of fake " Ma-Ling " luncheon

meats from China worth P1.5 million.

The counterfeit canned goods, which were believed to contain rat and cat meats,

were traced to a certain trader named Carmelo Sy, owner of the warehouse located

at 1320 Juan Luna Street, Tondo Manila.

The raiding teams were armed with search warrants issued by Judge Emma S. Young,

of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 36, when they swooped down on the

warehouse last March 22.

Head Agent (HA) Roland Argabioso, chief of the NBI Field Operations Division

(FOD), said prior to the raid, the NBI agents conducted surveillance operation

at the warehouse where the alleged fake " Ma-Ling " canned goods are allegedly

stored.

The NBI managed to get samples of the fake luncheon meat and had it tested by

the Bureau of Food and Drugs (Bfad). The initial tests yielded results showing

that the meat products did not contain any pork.

" We have to wait for further test to be conducted by the Bfad. Initial test made

by Bfad showed that the fake luncheon meat contains no pork meat but it did not

say that it contains rat and cat meat. We cannot confirm that speculation at

this time, " Argabioso said.

Further verification also showed that Sy is not licensed as an owner engaged in

the distribution, importation, selling, manufacturing, repacking and/or trading

of food or drug products.

The establishment is facing violation of Republic Act (RA) 3720 as amended

otherwise known as Food, Drugs and Devices and Cosmetic Act. (ECV/Sunnex)

meat.products.seized.html

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