The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Advisory No. 2026-0202, warning healthcare professionals and the general public not to purchase or consume the unregistered food supplement “OPTIMUM NUTRITION Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Chocolate Hazelnut Artificially Flavored Protein Powder Drink Mix.”
According to the FDA, post-marketing surveillance and online monitoring confirmed that the product does not have a valid Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) and is therefore not authorized for sale or distribution in the Philippines. As a result, the agency cannot guarantee the product’s quality, safety, or compliance with regulatory standards.
Under Republic Act No. 9711, the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, distribution, promotion, or advertising of health products without proper authorization is strictly prohibited. Establishments found distributing or selling the product may face regulatory enforcement actions and sanctions.
The FDA has instructed concerned regulatory authorities and local government units to ensure that the product is not sold or made available within their jurisdictions. In addition, the Bureau of Customs has been requested to restrict the importation and exportation of the product, along with other unregistered food products.
The agency also noted that the market authorization holder may request the lifting of the advisory by submitting a formal petition along with a valid CPR, photographic evidence of the compliant product in its final commercial packaging, and a copy of the advisory for verification.
Consumers and stakeholders are encouraged to verify the registration status of food products through the FDA Verification Portal and report the sale or distribution of unregistered products to the agency.