Caveat Emptor

Here in the Philippines, if something seems to good to be true, then it must be. The government's regulations regarding food and drugs is so lax that even vigilant consumers get tricked by unscrupulous businessmen who are just out to make a quick buck. Kinda scary, huh!?

Last week, the local television network just disclosed two unethical business practices in the food and drug industry.

The first incident was about some Chinese businessmen making fake medicine and vitamins and selling them under reputable brands such as Centrum, Viagra, etc. These fakes are sold at 50% off the market price. A lot of people got duped by this scam since they look exactly like the real deal, from the packaging to the actual product.

The second incident was about some guy who buys expired Japanese products such as noodles and cookies (good thing I don't like cookies and noodles, but that's beside the point). He tampers with the date so that he can sell them to major supermarkets. There are lots of things wrong with this picture.

1. Why are the Japanese even selling these stuff? I expect that they have a reliable disposal method so that expired products don't reach the hands of consumers. It's still their name which is on the line if someone gets sick eating these junk.

2. Didn't anyone find it fishy that this joker is bringing in expired stuff. I mean, what can he possibly do with it? (I guess that he paid the authorities to shut up!)

Well, I'm sure that even if these things were exposed on television, a lot of Filipinos would still be ignorant about it. Most of them are too busy watching stupid game shows and that idiotic Pinoy Big Brother to even have time to watch the news.

Anyway, I just hope that our government would do something about it. A lot of Filipinos are poor and ignorant and because of that, I think that the government should give them more protection against these kinds of scams.