Mosquito coil trader given 30 days to present FDA docs

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs-Cebu is giving the consignee of the two container vans loaded with mosquito coils from China to present the certificate of product registration from the Food and Drugs Administration within the month.

"Hindi pa pwedeng ma-isyuhan nang abandonment of shipment yung consignee kasi wala pang 30 days since dumating yung shipment," said Captain Jerry Arrizabal, district commander of Customs Police Division, BOC-Cebu.

The mosquito coil shipment arrived separately at Cebu port on March 15 and 22, this year.

Within the 30-day period, Arrizabal said that the consignee, Stargaze Enterprises located at Tudtud Street, Mabolo, Cebu City, is given time to submit the required CPR.

BOC apprehended the shipment two weeks ago for lack of  CPR.

One of the two container vans was already inspected and was said to contain 2,150 cartoons of mosquito coils with a brand name "Jaguar."

Arrizabal added if the consignee cannot present the required CPR within the required period, then BOC will issue an abandonment order against the said shipment.

Once declared abandoned, it cannot be subjected to an auction and will be condemned and disposed accordingly.

Earlier, Ramon Dakay, general manager of Cebu-based GreenCoil Industries Inc., the maker of famous "Lion-Tiger" Katol, submitted a complaint and requested an investigation before FDA's Center for Cosmetic Research, against a chain of stores doing business in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan and in Metro Manila for selling mosquito coils in the absence of product registrations and samples.

Dakay, in his letter to Dr. Kenneth Go of FDA, said legitimate mosquito coil manufacturers, like him, undergo all the legal processes in order to obtain the CPR before they are allowed to sell their products in the market.

FDA's Advisory No. 2013-031 had warned the public from buying unregistered toxic households insecticides (in aerosols cans, mosquito coils and body spray) that are being sold in the market.

FDA said that buying unregistered insecticide products is dangerous to health since the active ingredient is unknown and may cause harm to consumers.

The food and drug agency likewise called on BOC to remain vigilant in preventing the entry of toxic substances to the country. (FREEMAN)