Popular Filipino condiments cleared for stable US supply after reformulation
The US Food and Drug Administration has officially approved Nutriasia’s petition to remove Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce, Jufran Banana Sauce, and UFC Banana Sauce from Import Alert 99-45. Effective immediately, these reformulated products will no longer be subject to detention without physical examination, ensuring stable supply for US consumers.
In their May 16, 2025 letter, the FDA confirmed Nutriasia successfully met removal criteria and notified field agents nationwide.
“We are very happy with the approval of our petition. I am sure that our Kababayans and the American consumers who have felt the absence of their beloved Nutriasia products are very happy as well,” said Angie Flaminiano, President and Chief Operations Officer.
The FDA issued Import Alert 99-45 last July citing Potassium Iodate use in Nutriasia products. In the Philippines, this ingredient is preferred for salt iodization under the ASIN Law (Republic Act 8172) as it’s better suited for humid tropical climates.
Since the alert, US consumers reported shortages, especially during holidays, triggering price increases and rapid supply depletion.
“The social media reaction, the increased prices and the speed by which supplies were depleted showed how much our consumers love our brands, and this moved us to work even harder to get our products off the red list,” said Richard Rebollido, Senior International Business Manager.
Nutriasia immediately reformulated US-bound products after the alert. Shipments resumed in August, though some remained detained. The company filed its removal petition early this year.
“We are very thankful for the assistance from the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Commerce, the US Embassy in Manila, Philippine Ambassador to the US, Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC,” said Mario Mendoza, Head of New Business Development and International Business.
“With the removal of our products from the red list, consumers who have missed our products in the past months can now look forward to uninterrupted supplies moving forward,” Mendoza added.
