People are now rushing to buy costumes and scary props and decorations in time for the upcoming Halloween celebration. In stores, you will find many Halloween-related products like masks, costumes, toys, make-up, and other scary items that children would like to use.
BAN Toxics’ BT Patroller went to Divisoria, Manila—a known bargain shopping destination—over the weekend to conduct market monitoring of halloween masks to determine if this has passed the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013.
In BAN Toxics’ findings, all of the masks do not have product labeling and are all wrapped in plastic. The products do not indicate any information that it has undergone health and safety standards from the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines (FDA).
During BAN Toxics’ recently concluded Usapang Konsyumer webinar last October 21, FDA cited the importance of product label as a mandatory labeling requirements for toys and child care article products pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10620, otherwise known as the “Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013”. The following information shall appear on the package, container, wrapper or protective covering of the products:
- License to Operate (LTO) Number issued by FDA
- Age Grading
- Cautionary Statement/Warnings
- Instructional Literature
- Manufacturer’s markings with complete name and address of the local company
- Item Model/Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) number
The label must be generally written in English, otherwise, a parallel translation in English or Filipino, or both, must appear thereon. The label must be in a visible, easily legible, understandable and indelible form.
FDA also advised the consumers to be vigilant in purchasing TCCA products as gifts for children during special occasions. Consumers must check the product label’s information if it is compliant to the above mentioned labeling requirement.
“The proliferation of unlabeled and unnotified toys and child care article (TCCA) products in the market during special occasions must be stopped all at once,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.
“We appeal to store owners and retailers to refrain from selling unnotified Halloween toys to protect consumers and the general public, especially children, from potential exposure to toxic chemicals and other hazardous substances,” he added.
To guide consumers, BAN Toxics reiterated the following tips in buying children’s toys:
- Regularly visit the FDA website for health advisories and the Verification Portal (https://verification.fda.gov.ph) to check the list of notified TCCA products
- Read the label properly and follow the mandatory product labeling requirements under RA 10620
- Report to FDA any concerns related to unnotified Toy and Child Care Article (TCCA) at www.fda.gov.ph/ereport
