Philippines has banned mercury-tainted infant formula from China,as a part of its effort to ensure food safety in the country.
This move comes after China's product quality watchdog's recent announcement that high levels of mercury were found in some of the infant formula products manufactured by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group,a leading dairy company in China.
Following this,China recalled the company's QuanYou baby formula produced between November 2011 and May 2012.
Philippines FDA officer-in-charge Nicolas Lutero said the agency is coordinating with the Bureau of Customs in order to ensure that the said milk formula will not enter the country,especially since it is not registered with the FDA.
The agency has sought the assistance of local government units in policing the illegal presence of the said products in the Philippines market,Lutero added.
Consumers have been advised to be vigilant and report the sale of Yili infant formula products to the agency through FDA hotlines.
Mercury in food products can damage the central nervous system and lungs,and may even lead to birth defects.
