DSWD orders recall, replacement of relief items due to recipients' complaints

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 6) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has ordered the recall and replacement of a particular brand of canned tuna included in family food packs (FFP) distributed in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro after recipients complained that the food item appeared to be unsafe for consumption.

"It is unfortunate that Ocean's Best Tuna, one of the items included in the DSWD's Family Food Packs, has been the subject of numerous complaints from recipients/beneficiaries of the FFPs," the DSWD said in a statement on Saturday.

The department noted that the canned tuna was "not expired" but said it will still ask the supplier to replace the items because of "numerous complaints in the regions."

The DSWD will study the possibility of sanctions being imposed on the supplier, such as withholding of payment and possible blacklisting.

The distribution of the family food packs was part of the DSWD’s assistance to residents affected by the Mindoro oil spill.

Earlier, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Bonz Dolor reported that there have been delays in the release of salaries of beneficiaries under the DSWD cash-for-work program in the province.

READ: Oriental Mindoro cash-for-work beneficiaries facing wage delays, governor says