‘Reno liver spread has no product registration certificate’ – FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clarified Thursday that the maker of the popular Reno brand has failed to obtain a certificate of product registration (CPR).

“This year, FDA inspectors collected samples of Reno Brand Liver Spread to verify its CPR. After an exhaustive search of FDA databases, the aforementioned liver spread failed to secure CPR, “the agency said in a statement.

READ MORE: FDA warns the public about unregistered food products

“Therefore, FDA has a responsibility to inform the public, through notice, that Reno Brand Liver Spread is not registered as of this date as a processed food product and must obtain the required authorization from this office,” he added.

The agency on Wednesday, September 16, issued an advisory against five unregistered food products, which included the well-known brand of liver spread. Since these products are not registered, the FDA said it “cannot guarantee their quality and safety.”

The FDA issued a clarifying statement after some people raised concerns that the popular liver spread product is safe for consumption.

It noted that it requires “two types of authorizations before any processed food product can be launched in the Philippine market.”

“The first is the License to Operate (LTO), which is an authorization granted to manufacturers, repackers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, merchants who approved the FDA guidelines as Good Manufacturing Practices,” he said.

The agency said that after receiving an LTO, the food business operator is “required to obtain another authorization,” which is the CPR.

“The CPR evaluation process involves verifying the safety and quality of a respective product against applicable standards and emissions,” he said.

The FDA noted that the maker of the Reno liver extension has an existing LTO as a food repacker.

“In 2017, the company requested the variation of its LTO to include its product line as a manufacturer of processed meat products. Upon inspection by the FDA, the company obtained approval from the LTO as a manufacturer, ”the FDA said.

“FDA inspectors instructed the company to ensure CPR for its products, including the Reno Brand Liver Spread,” he added.