NBI warns public against counterfeit vitamins

National

THE public is urged to be cautious when purchasing vitamins and other low-priced products after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) uncovered a factory producing fake supplements in Arayat, Pampanga.

In a recent raid, NBI agents uncovered a facility that had been producing and distributing fake children's vitamins for nearly two decades. The operation was prompted by a tip from a former employee.

Senior Agent Don Syrel Bati explained that the NBI managed to acquire a sample of the product for verification through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which confirmed the vitamins were unregistered and the company lacked a valid operating license.

Authorities seized 20 boxes of counterfeit vitamins, both labeled and unlabeled, during the raid. They also found a washing machine that had been used to mix raw ingredients such as sugar, food coloring, and flavoring, which were then used to produce the fake supplements.

The washing machine still had orange flavor residue, confirming its use in the production process.

The counterfeit product, Nutrivit-C, was marketed door-to-door in Central Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for P450. The company regularly changed the product's name and label to create the illusion of a new brand.

A televised news report revealed that the operation had been running for almost 20 years.

NBI Central Luzon official Jun Capreso described the process as highly unsanitary and noted that the fake vitamins contained only flavoring and sugar, with no actual vitamins present.

Authorities also seized P400,000 worth of the counterfeit syrup. Initially, the factory copied a legitimate vitamin C formula, but over time, it began altering the brand and labels to further deceive customers.

The owner of the factory has been arrested and now faces charges under Republic Act No. 9711, the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.

The NBI is advising the public to purchase vitamins and medicines only from licensed drug stores and to be cautious of suspiciously low-priced products.(MyTVCebu)