UNREGISTERED, UNLABELED COOKING OIL SEIZED IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — An estimated P840,000 worth of unregistered and unlabeled cooking oil products on Thursday was seized by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) while a businessman was arrested  during the implementation of a search warrant in this city.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG RFU3) chief Col. Grant Gollod said the operation was conducted by the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit, together with the CIDG Regional Special Operations Team, PRO3 Regional Special Operations Group, and the San Fernando City Police Station under “Oplan Megashopper.”

Arrested was alias “Danny,” 52, owner of BCAJ Cooking Oil Trading located in Bgy. Sindalan, San Fernando City.

Authorities implemented a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in San Fernando City for alleged violation of Section 10(k) of Republic Act No. 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.

Seized during the operation were 569 unlabeled white gallons containing approximately 17 kilograms or 19 liters of cooking oil each, 48 unlabeled empty white gallons, 47 yellow empty gallons bearing “Spring Pure Vegetable Cooking Oil” markings, one cut yellow gallon containing container caps, five photocopies of business permits and records, one ledger book, and one booklet of sales invoice receipts and slips.

Police estimated the total value of the confiscated items at P840,000.

Probers said the owner failed to present a valid License to Operate and Certificate of Product Certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which authorities said are required to prove the legality of the seized products and the business’ operations.

The suspect was taken to the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit for booking and documentation and is being held at the unit’s custodial facility pending the filing of charges.

Gollod said the operation underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting consumers from potentially unsafe food products and ensuring that businesses comply with FDA regulations.