Authorities confiscated more than P1.5 million worth of suspected unregistered cooking oil and arrested two individuals during an enforcement operation in Cagayan de Oro City.
The April 29 operation was carried out in Barangay Carmen, Oro Coop Village by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Cagayan de Oro Field Unit, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local police.
The suspects, identified only as “Rona,” the owner, and “Noli,” a worker, were allegedly selling and distributing cooking oil products without proper FDA registration.
Seized items were estimated to be worth P1.534 million.
CIDG said the suspects may face charges for violations of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and the Food Safety Act of 2013.
Authorities stressed that unregistered food products have not undergone safety and quality checks and may pose risks to consumers.
The operation forms part of intensified enforcement efforts against illegal trade in consumer goods, in line with directives from PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
The CIDG also urged the public to check FDA registration and avoid unlabelled or suspiciously low-priced products, and to report sellers of unregistered goods.