REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

BUREAU OF FOOD AND DRUGS

Filinvest Corporate City

Alabang, Muntinlupa City

DOH-BFAD HEALTH ADVISORY

No. 01-04

Date Issued: July 18, 2001

Subject: Various Imported Soy Sauce/Oyster Sauce and other Products containing Acid Hydrolized Vegetable Protein

Reports reaching this Office raised the possible presence of cancer causing chemicals in certain soy sauce products and other imported food products containing acid hydrolized vegetable protein. These chemicals are identified as 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and 1,3-dichloropropanol (1,3-DCP). The reports have it that the chemical 3-MCPD is present in many foods at levels beyond the legal limit and 1,3-DCP which experts advise should not be present at any levels in food. These products are imported from Thailand, China, Hongkong and Taiwan.

Pending a more definitive finding on this matter, the public is well advised to use or buy only BFAD registered products (see attached list)

For further inquiries, contact telephone number 842-5606 or visit us at our website at www.doh.gov.ph.

                                                                        (SGD) WILLIAM D. TORRES, Ph.D.
                                                                                                 Director