THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday warned the public against non-FDA-approved health and beauty products sold on various online platforms, including TikTok Shop and Facebook, noting that it flags over 10 to 20 suspicious products each day.
In a radio interview, FDA Director General Paolo Teston said many of these products have not undergone FDA evaluation and often target vulnerable groups, including senior citizens who may be more susceptible to misleading health claims.
“These products have not undergone FDA evaluation, so their safety and efficacy are not guaranteed,” he stated, warning consumers about the potential health risks of products marketed as treatments for serious conditions without proper regulatory approval.
Social media platforms have become the primary venues for selling these products due to their wide reach and limited oversight. He said the FDA faces challenges in monitoring and taking down listings, as sellers can quickly set up new online stores even after flagged products are removed.
Under Republic Acts 9711 and 3720, all medicines, beauty products, medical devices and food must be registered under the FDA.
The Department of Health reminded individuals planning to sell health products to be aware of the stringent requirements involved in securing FDA approval.
“For those who want to sell health products, you should talk to other sellers. Because what they went through to get their products approved by the FDA was a lot of process: the many submissions, the research basis and FDA approval in other countries. Even the good manufacturing practices that FDA people visit, how they manufacture the health product,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
Teston also underscored the importance of good manufacturing practices stating, “Good manufacturing practices are visited by FDA personnel to see how they manufacture the health product. And if the production is poor, there may be risks like recalls because they become contaminated.”
Proper storage and temperature control are also critical for maintaining product safety and effectiveness. Products sold through unregulated channels may not meet these standards, increasing the risk of harm to consumers.
The FDA’s jurisdiction extends beyond medicines and beauty products. It also includes medical devices, Teston said, noting that people can also report suspicious medical devices sold online.
The FDA advised consumers to verify product authenticity by checking for FDA registration numbers and consulting health care professionals before using new health products.
Teston said that the public can verify all registered products on the FDA’s online portal and encouraged consumers to report suspicious items for investigation.
