Stores warned on sale of alcoholic juice drinks

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned retailers on the promotion and sale of beve-rages containing alcohol, or “alcopops,” to minors.

In an advisory, the DOH and FDA said alcopop products should never be sold to minors or those below 18 years old.

They added the advisory was issued amid reports that alcopops, which are sweet and often fruit-flavored or frizzy alcoholic beverages, are being sold in supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores to minors alongside with juice drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Under Sections 3 and 4 of Presidential Decree 1619, selling liquor to minors is prohibited.  

 “To ensure health and welfare of minors and to remind retailers on the ethical sale of alcoholic beverages, the DOH-FDA is sternly reminding all retailers to refrain from the promotion and selling of alcoholic beverages, especially alcopops to minors,” they said.

Retailers were also reminded to include appropriate signage for liquors/alcoholic drinks in their respective stores and ensure the conduct of appropriate verification of age of customers.

The agencies have also enjoined the public to be vigilant against food retailers who continuously sell alcoholic beverages to minors.

Earlier, Sen. Pia Cayetano has sought the recall of alcopops from stores and called for their repackaging. 

Cayetano cautioned that the flavored products were made to look like child-friendly drinks when they have high alcohol content at seven percent for 200 ml packaging.