Is truth in advertising and packaging dead?

There is a law which is probably in hibernation, buried in the archives. The law imposes stiff penalties and imprisonment for false advertisement or packaging. But the public is being bombarded with ads and packages selling products of dubious efficacy—from herbal medicines to processed foods and drinks.

There are salves or creams that would remedy hair loss, canned salmon still to expire but already bloated, herbal medicines with no therapeutic healing power but enumerate several ailments they can purportedly cure, recalled drugs and medicines still in drugstores’ shelves.

Undoubtedly, the government agencies tasked to safeguard the health of the people are remiss in their duty and responsibility to subject these products to periodic reanalysis or reinvestigation as mandated by law. The Department of Trade and Industry, Food and Drugs Administration, and the Department of Health should be overly concerned as these pose hazards to public health.

—FRANK C. CABANATAN,

167 Lugay St., Guiuan, Eastern Samar