FDA-banned aerosol insecticides and mosquito coils on sale in the market.
Seven unregistered aerosol insecticides found on sale in the market.
The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate for zero waste and chemical safety, has deplored
the unrestrained sale of recalled household insecticides in the market.
This developed as the group’s AlerToxic Patrol found 100 retail outlets in four
cities selling banned products for
killing mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches, including stalls in discount
shopping malls, miscellaneous stores and ambulant street vendors.
“The sale of banned insect killers appears to be out of control,” lamented
Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.
“To stop the illegal trade in its tracks, we call upon our consumers not to buy
these dangerous goods as we appeal to vendors to send back their remaining
stocks to their sources for environmentally-sound disposal,” he said.
“We also urge the Bureau of Customs to step in and foil further shipments of
these bad products into the country,” he added.
Market surveillance conducted by the group on September 1 and 3 found 65 retail
outlets in Divisoria, Quiapo and Sta. Cruz, Manila City openly selling the
banned items, 21 in Baclaran and Libertad, Pasay City, 9 in Baclaran, Parañaque City
and 5 in Guadalupe, Makati City.
The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week issued FDA Advisory 2013-031 warning
consumers against buying unregistered household insecticides that have not passed
the safety and efficacy assessment of the agency.
These include nine insecticide sprays such as Baolilai
Aerosol Insecticide, Big Bie Pai Aerosol Insecticide, Big Bie Pai Extra Power
Flying Insect Killer, Butiki Water-Based Multi-Insect Killer, General Toad
Aerosol Insecticide, Read a Dream Insecticide, Sun Universe Frogking
Insecticide Aerosol Lemon, Tianshi Insect Killer, and Wawang Frogking
Insecticide Aerosol, which are being sold in the market for P65 to P80 each.
“These products are harmful, toxic and imminently dangerous to human and animal
health,” the FDA through its advisory said.
The EcoWaste Coalition also found seven
other insecticides not included in the agency’s List of Registered Household Hazardous
Products on sale in the market, and which the group requested the FDA to recall.
These include Angel Insecticide Aerosol (750 ml), Angel Insecticide Aerosol
(600 ml), Black Swirl Wind Aerosol Insecticide, Goldeer Insecticide, Kingever
Insect Killer Spray, MG Mega Dream Insecticide and Sky Warriors Aerosol
Insecticide, which are being sold from P60 – P200 per can.
In two letters sent to the FDA on September 2 and 4, the EcoWaste Coalition emphasized
the need for enforcement activities involving the local government and police
authorities to promote awareness and support for FDA Advisory 2013-031 from
both the business and consumer sectors.
The group likewise reminded the public to opt for ecological and natural steps to
safely manage household insects, pointing to the need to cut, if not eradicate,
toxic use at home.
-end-
Reference:
http://www.fda.gov.ph/advisories/cosmetic/102371-fda-advisory-no-2013-031