Authorities raided an alleged illegal soy sauce manufacturing facility in San Fernando City, Pampanga, and confiscated around P30 million worth of unregistered food products and equipment, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported.
The operation was conducted on May 6 by the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit together with operatives from the CIDG Regional Field Unit 3, Police Regional Office 3, and the San Fernando City Police Station.
Police implemented a search warrant for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, at a warehouse and manufacturing facility located in Barangay Sta. Lucia.
A male suspect identified only as “Aldo” was arrested during the operation while allegedly managing and operating the facility.
Authorities said the raid led to the seizure of various processing machines, storage tanks, steam boilers, filters, blending and measuring equipment, along with 25 containers of concentrated soy extract and finished soy sauce products marketed under the brand name “Mr. Cook.”
According to the CIDG, investigators discovered that the soy sauce products being manufactured and distributed were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The facility was also reportedly not registered with the Department of Trade and Industry.
CIDG Director Robert AA Morico II stressed that the law prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food and health products without proper authorization from the FDA.
He warned that unregistered food items pose potential risks to consumers because they have not undergone government evaluation and safety checks.
The CIDG said the operation forms part of its intensified nationwide campaign against illegal manufacturing and distribution activities, in line with the directives of PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr..
Police officials also commended CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 and the Pampanga Provincial Field Unit for the successful operation, saying it reflects the agency’s commitment to enforcing consumer protection and food safety laws.
The CIDG urged the public to report suspicious warehouses and manufacturing facilities involved in the illegal production of consumer goods.