Pasalubong makers hit over labels

By Aileen P. Refuerzo 

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government market division, Dept. of Trade and Industry Baguio-Benguet and Food and Drug Administration have urged resellers in the city not to patronize pasalubong products of manufacturers who continue to violate rules on proper labeling.
    City Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio said this will hopefully compel these producers to comply with the labeling requirements which are one method to ensure consumer protection.
    The three offices spearheaded the conduct of an information-education-communication (IEC) program on proper labeling and other salient provisions of Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines attended by more than 10 Baguio-based manufacturers and more than 30 market stallholders who sell pasalubong products last Nov. 18 at the city public market.
    Manufacturers who are still not compliant with the labeling requirements were strongly urged to comply while those whose products have proper labels but with inadequate details were asked to upgrade their labels to supply missing information like specific addresses, net weights and others.
    The three agencies said they will continue to monitor resellers to ensure that no products with improper labels will be sold.
    Recently, two stalls at the city market were issued notices of violation for selling pasalubong products while several others were made to pull out items that have improper labels in an operation conducted jointly by the three agencies.
    Consumers may report erring manufacturers or resellers to DTI Baguio-Benguet Consumer Protection Division under Ralph Altiyen at 09178886963.
    Improper labeling constitutes violation of Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines particularly Articles 77-79 on minimum labeling requirements, the Philippine product standard mark and additional labeling and packaging requirements, respectively.