A wave of panic buying has swept through the Filipino community in the US following rumors of an impending ban on popular Filipino condiments like banana ketchup, lechon sauce, and bagoong. Social media was abuzz with concerns, with many fearing a shortage of these beloved products.
Elaine V., a Filipina resident of San Francisco and Las Vegas, expressed her alarm, stating, "Have you guys heard that they are banning Mang Tomas and banana ketchup?" She noted that Seafood City stores in Las Vegas had run out of these items, leading to concerns of a potential shortage.
Another Filipina, Joan G., currently visiting Manila, confessed to hoarding these products, jokingly comparing her luggage to a sari-sari store.
However, it turned out that no outright ban was imposed. Instead, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert for products containing certain harmful additives, including benzoate, BHA, potassium iodate, sodium benzoate, and TBHQ. This led to the temporary detention of some Philippine-made products for further inspection.
While the situation has been clarified, the initial panic has caused a surge in demand and price hikes for these products. Some grocery stores have reportedly doubled or tripled the prices of banana ketchup, taking advantage of the heightened demand.
The FDA's import alert aims to protect public health by ensuring that imported food products meet safety standards. Manufacturers of affected products are expected to reformulate their products to comply with US regulations.
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