‘Foreign objects inside coke bottles make firm’s execs’ heads spin

By Gabriel T. Moguet

BAGUIO CITY – “Foreign objects” inside an 8-ounce bottle of Coke must be making executives of the Coca Cola Bottling Company spin after a resident here file a complaint at the Bureau of Food and Drugs against the firm.

Complainant Johnson G. Tenepac, a native of Sabangan, Mountain Province and presently residing at 20 Maria Pucay Road, Barangay Pinsao here said in an affidavit he bought the Coke Sept. 19 in a sari-Sari Store at the barangay.

In a personal interview with the complainant, Tenepac said he earlier bought 12 coke bottles at the store to stock in his barely empty refrigerator but when he opened one for his Sunday dinner, he noticed two cigarette butts in it.

This prompted him to check the other remaining bottles and found out one had a foreign object inside which looked like white plastic.

He also said that earlier during lunchtime he opened two bottles for his visitors but one complained that his soft drink tasted like cold water with sugar only.

He then consulted a lawyer about the matter who advised him to file a complaint with the BFD with the assistance of a friend Juniper Dominguez .

Both filed a complaint at the local BFAD office here on Sept. 24 but BFAD officials have yet to act on the complaint.

In an interview with Arcely D. Sanchez, BFAD administrative officer and acting consumer arbitration officer, said their office will only facilitate mediation and conciliation between the complainant and respondent and if said case be submitted for arbitration as the agency is limited only to order replacement of damaged or faulty products or refund,

Sanchez said in some cases, the BAFD may award expenses for such cases but they are not in authority to revoke licenses.

They reportedly cannot even investigate the veracity of the complaint like testing the product if it is indeed dirty or not.

If ever that both parties won’t meet, Sanchez said the BFAD will issue certificate to file action in court with the barangay lupon.

In an interview with a representative of Coca Cola Bottling Company on Oct.12 at the BFAD Office who was attending a similar case filed for mediation/conciliation, he said that they would like to see the bottle as it might not be their product.

But he said if indeed it is their product, they are willing to refund or replace the dirty coke products.

His added the 8-ounce coke which tasted like water with sugar may have expired.

Coca Cola products are reportedly good only for at least six months to one year and must not be exposed to heat for a long time.