FDA Warns vs ‘Guyabano Juice’ with Unapproved Health Claims

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers against the use of a food product labelled as “Guyabano Juice” with unapproved health claims.

The warming was issued on the juice product whose label cites or tries to convince consumers that the product can help cure cancer.

Based on FDA Advisory No. 2016-055, the agency said it would be risky for the public to patronize “Guyabano Juice” with a claim of having “natural cancer cell killer, 10,000 times stronger than drug used in chemotherapy” in its label.

“Taking food and/or food supplements that have not undergone evaluation and testing in terms of safety and quality may present harmful effects to one’s health,” said the FDA.

Aside from not being registered with the FDA, the health agency also pointed out that the health benefits it claims to possess have not been approved.

The FDA further said that food products, including food supplements, should not bear any misleading, deceptive, and false claims in their labels and/or any promotional materials because that will create erroneous impression on the products’ character or identity.

The FDA has ordered the officers of its Field Regulatory Operations Office (FROO) to exercise their regulatory function pursuant to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 9711.

Similarly, all local government units (LGUs) and law enforcement agencies are requested by the FDA to ensure that this product is not sold or offered for sale in their localities or areas of jurisdiction.

The FDA also called on the public to report the continuous sale or distribution of the unregistered health product through e-mail: report@fda.gov.ph; or telephone numbers: 857-1991 to 93. (PNA) SCS/LSJ/EDS