Simon wants all info on ‘banned canned goods’

By Edwin Iyo
Correspondent .

Bureau of Custom Sub Port Collector John Simon is kicking into high gear its ban on the China-manufactured luncheon meat “Ma Ling” and he even wanted complete information to do it on the reported illegal entry of the banned processed pork meat at the Mindanao International Container Port.

“I need complete information and customs have to do it with the help of concerned agencies of the government,” said Simon.

Earlier, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA reiterated its temporary ban on the importation, distribution, and sale of all processed pork meat products from countries suspected to be affected by the African swine fever (ASF) virus.

Based on an FDA order from September last year, these countries include those from China, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine.

Simon reiterated that he also wanted more information on the reported entry of banned canned goods here in our area.

Simon said that even it is the responsibility of the other concerned agencies still they have to notify them so that they can act together and coordinate together on the matter.

“Together with the FDA and their orders, an immediate bust operation will be conducted,” said Simon, adding, “tell them that I will help them as I will immediately coordinate with the FDA.”

He even needs complete details about the supposed presence of banned canned good in the local markets.

The Northern Mindanao Hog Growers Association president Benjamin Albarece said undetermined kilograms of canned good from China reportedly which infected with African Swine Fever virus allegedly found at the Mindanao International Container Terminal MICT in Tagoloan town.

Albarece admitted that even the processed food like Ma Ling is under the jurisdiction of Food and Drugs Administration still the office of the Bureau of Custom can help a lot.

“As part of its job, FDA is supposed to conduct surveillance. The problem of FDA is the enforcement. Collector  Simon can definitely help FDA,”  said Albarece.

In a text message, Albarece opines that Simon can check that out or possibly ask the National Veterinary Quarantine Services. Or, the FDA.

“I am willing to talk to him (Simon) kung unsa iyang gikinghanlan,” Albarece added.