'Duty Free chocolates melamine-free'
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/02/2008 11:45 PM
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The management of the Duty Free Philippines on Thursday assured the public that chocolates and milk products sold at their shops are melamine-free.
“I would like to assure the public that Duty Free Philippines only carries products, especially chocolates and confectionary products, that are manufactured, in the United States, Europe and Australia,” said Jenny Start, manager of the Duty Free concessions department.
On Thursday, dozens of returning overseas Filipino workers or “balikbayans” were seen purchasing chocolates despite the melamine scare in China that has also spread to the Philippines.
Loy Faltado, who just arrived from Amsterdam, immediately proceeded to the Duty Free store to buy chocolates as “pasalubong”
“Hindi ko alam na may ganun nga dahil nga I was not informed,” Faltado said.
Duty Free management said it will publish a notice in the newspapers and disseminate flyers to customers to assure them that their products are safe.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs conducted a product inspection and was convinced that no Chinese made chocolates are being sold at Duty Free shops.
"So far wala kaming nakita. These chocolates, walang made in China,” said Ernesto Aguirrechea, the BoC's intelligence head.
In a related report, the BoC seized a 40-foot container van carrying chocolates from China.
Documents obtained by ABS-CBN News stated that the van was carrying 1,000 boxes of Snickers chocolates. The contents were consigned to Mars Philippines.
The van will be opened for inspection on Friday. With reports from Alex Santos, ABS-CBN News
