Even as new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the country daily, another threat looms. Omicron, a new variant of the coronavirus, has been detected in different South African and European countries. It has caused other nations, including the Philippines, to impose travel bans on tourists entering from these countries.
While the new variant has not been detected yet in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that it is “a matter of when,” Omicron will arrive. Face shields remain optional, but face masks are a must to keep ourselves well-protected against the virus.
FDA issues public health warning on face mask brands
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to notify the public on face masks that have not yet received a Product Notification Certificate from their agency. The certificate ensures the quality and safety of the items as they have undergone FDA’s strict evaluation process.
If an item has not been certified for public use, they are tagged as “unnotified” and must not be sold, bought, or used until it has been authorized by the FDA.
Face mask brands that have not been certified for public use are as follows:
- Aidelai Disposable Face Mask
- Cherub Daily Protectve Mask
- Just Mask Anti-Viral Face Mask
- Health Master Disposable Protective Mask
- Disposable Medical Mask
- Glitter Face Mask
- iCare Disposable Face Mask
- Disposable Face Mask (99% Bacteria Filtration Efficiency)
- Misbranded Face Mask in Foreign Characters
- Japan Quality Face Mask
The AideLai face mask, commonly sold online, markets itself as a disposable protective mask that can filter PM (particulate matter) 2.5 pollutants. But according to the FDA, they cannot assure the quality and safety of the brands above as they have not gone through the evaluation process.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWFDA-approved face masks in the Philippines
The FDA regularly updates a list of registered face masks that are specifically designed for medical use. These comply with global regulatory requirements.
As of August 4, 2021, there are 175 face mask brands approved by the FDA:
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PHOTO BY COURTESY OF FDATo check whether the face mask you bought is FDA-approved, visit their website at www.fda.gov.ph for the updated list. If you see the above brands still being sold online or in marketplaces, you may report them to www.fda.gov.ph/ereport.
Be wary of counterfeit COVID-19 test kits and medical devices. Click here for FDA's public health warning.
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