Alleba Politics

In light of the recall of the Chinese milk and milk products it think it’s a good time to ask, do we have the necessary food and drug standards and tools to measure these standards? Past recalls of Chinese imports were, apparently, due to red flags from China itself or other countries. But no warnings have originated from the Philippines.

Having worked (as a student and as an assistant lab technician in a past life) in academic labs for quite sometime, I know how expensive laboratory equipment are, and how tedious and expensive standards tests are. I am, thus, concerned about the state of our Bureau of Food and Drugs and how they regulate food and drug products. From where do they determine their standards, and how do they measure these? Moreover, do they employ (and justly compensate) qualified personnel? Do they even have enough people to facilitate or monitor the recalls?

I wonder if the government even invests in decent laboratory equipment and supplies. Knowing how little our budget for science and technology is, and how insignificant these sectors seem to the policy makers, I am concerned if we follow the international standards. Food and drug safety standards should be taken seriously and conscientiously.

Safety standards for pesticides and fertilizers are still in contention. And from what I know, some products banned by developed countries are still being used legally (and illegally) in our country. At the risk of the health and safety of our citizens, plantations and big firms employ unsafe practices and products for the sake of greater yields. In Davao, for example, the debate on the safety of aerial spraying still has to be settled by the government via the justice system.

Which leads me to speculate, how much of the food and drugs on our grocery and drug store shelves are actually safe for consumption? In some countries, food and drug companies diligently label their products as stipulated by their regulatory laws. But here in our beloved Philippines, some products don’t even have labels at all. Is the BFAD doing anything to rectify this?

Serious investments have to made to ensure that the people’s security and safety is ensured. Threats do not just come from terrorists or secessionists. There are serious threats from the food and drugs, and other products in our own homes. And the government has to realize that.

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