Cops clamp down on vendors selling drinks with magic sugar

As summer vacation for students draws near, police in Manila are clamping down on vendors selling halo-halo and summer coolers prepared with the controversial “magic sugar." Radio dzBB reported Thursday that the Manila Police District Sta. Cruz commander Superintendent Nelson Yabut ordered his men to watch out for vendors selling such cooling drinks and snacks. Yabut said he will have vendors selling products with magic sugar arrested and their products confiscated. He also urged parents to be wary of such vendors and outlets selling food items with the ingredient. Last weekend, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral warned the public against magic sugar and artificial sweeteners that may cause health risks. [See: DOH warns public vs summer coolers with magic sugar] She said many vendors may be tempted to use the controversial product due to high prices of refined sugar. “If legitimate artificial sweeteners were used, we do not see any problem. But if magic sugar was used and you eat 10 glasses of halo-halo containing it, it may cause discomfort and dizziness," she said in an interview on dzRH radio, citing reports reaching her office. Earlier, Cabral warned halo-halo and other summer coolers can be potentially deadly if they are not prepared cleanly. She said these snack items can contain harmful bacteria if they are improperly prepared. Also, she urged local government units (LGUs) to have their health workers monitor vendors of halo-halo and other summer fare, to make sure these food items are cleanly prepared. On the other hand, Cabral’s predecessor Francisco Duque III had warned schools and local government agencies to be on guard against ambulant vendors using “magic sugar" in the drinks they sell. Before being transferred to the Civil Service Commission, Duque had said sidewalk vendors and vendors near schools still use the sweetener in juices and drinks they sell to children. The Food and Drugs Administration had warned against the use of the illegal sweetener known as “magic sugar," which is known to cause cancer. Neotogen or “magic sugar" is a cheaper and sweeter substitute than sugarcane sugar and has been used by some vendors selling juice drinks. As early as August 2000, the BFAD issued an advisory that magic sugar is prohibited “due to evidence of its carcinogenicity in animals." — LBG, GMANews.TV