The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be coming after those who are selling the trending "lato-lato" toys as it has yet to secure a product certificate.
According to DT Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, the famous toy should be banned from selling since it lacked a product notification certificate from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Hindi siya dapat nabebenta, hindi siya dabat nakikita. And I’m sure the FDA is also moving on this, nagi-enforce din sila na alisin sa market ‘yung produkto dahil wala ngang CPN. Tutulungan lang natin sila," Castelo said.
"Kahit ‘yung nakikita sa bangketa na nakalatag, kahit na ‘yung naka-plastic package na wala rin naming labels, naka-pack lang siya, lahat ng kinds ng lato-lato, bawal," she added.
Each piece of the toy "lato-lato" sells for PHP 40- PHP 100 depending on size and class. It is often packaged in plastics.
Since "lato-lato" has yet to be given a CPN, Castelo said there is no certainty that the materials used in manufacturing the product are safe.
"Yung material na ginagamit doon sa laruan na iyon, hindi naman na-test ng FDA. So 'yung chemical compounds that are included in the plastic formulation na gamit hindi natin alam kung may hazardous substances siya like lead content," she said.
"Kailangan talagang dumaan muna sa mas masusing pagsusuri ng FDA," she added.
