Add this to the list of surprising batshit crazy things that had to happen in 2020.
The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday warned Filipinos against buying and consuming popular liver brand Reno and other local food products that have not been registered with the agency.
Yes, Reno, the Filipino style liver spread which has been sold since 1958 and an ingredient often used in caldereta has not been registered with the FDA. The agency’s director Eric Domingo told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo that he’s just as surprised to hear about it now and that their agents “triple-checked” the brand upon learning that it went on unregistered for decades.
Read: Beef caldereta-flavored potato chips, anyone?
Other than Reno, the agency said the following products have not passed FDA approval:
- Desa Spanish-style Bangus (“milk fish”) in Corn Oil
- Samantha’s Dips and Sauce Spanish Sardines Pasta Sauce
- Miracle White Advanced Whitening Glutathione Capsules
- Turcumin Turmeric Curcumin Vegetable Capsules
“Since these unregistered food products and food supplements have not gone through the evaluation process of the FDA, the agency cannot assure its quality and safety,” the FDA advisory read. All products are required by law to register with the FDA under Republic Act No. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.
The FDA warned establishments from distributing, advertising, or selling the said food products and supplements until a registration certificate is issued, or they risk facing sanctions. Reno Foods Incorporated has yet to release a statement on the matter.
The public is asked to check if a product is FDA-registered before purchasing it and to report the sale of unregistered products through the FDA’s website.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, patrons of the liver brand were saddened about the announcement, saying local dishes like goat stew or caldereta won’t be the same without it.
One @_hansjob_ wrote, “Reno Liver Spread did us dirty,” then posted this meme of model Tyra Banks screaming “I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you, how dare you!”
Reno Liver Spread did us dirty pic.twitter.com/v4MgSyfIlT
— Bibingka Magnaye (@_hansjob_) September 16, 2020
“Reno liver spread is not FDA approved? But I’m craving one right now,” cried out @KeiSeLuna.
Reno liver spread is not FDA approved? But I’m craving one right now. Huhuhu
— Keily Seven Luna (@KeiSeLuna) September 16, 2020
User @nanayangge831 tweeted, “Goodbye for now Reno” and attached this photo of the liver brand alongside Filipino breakfast rolls or pandesal.
Paalam na muna Reno 😢 // 📷: @nanayangge831
The Reno Liver Spread is included in the FDA list of unregistered food products 💔 pic.twitter.com/Nyn9T2nYdD
— Tara Sa South (@tarasasouth) September 17, 2020
Meanwhile, @lakwatsarah reacted to the news by jokingly attaching this meme of Mr. Chow in The Hangover asking, “But did you die?!”
FDA: Reno Liver Spread isn’t registered!!
Reno Liver Spread and its stans: pic.twitter.com/d74NhYJKrR
— seiruhhhh 👀 (@lakwatsarah) September 16, 2020
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