NBI seizes Messy Bessy products for lack of FDA permits

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confiscated several products of local cosmetics and household products company Messy Bessy after it learned that these lacked Food and Drug Adminsitration (FDA) permits.

According to a  report by ABS-CBN’s Niko Baua on Thursday, August 15, the NBI raided the office and warehouse of Messy Bessy on the basis of a search warrant. An FDA report said 11 of Messy Bessy’s products did not have permits.

Before certain products are allowed to be sold in the market – cosmetics, among them – companies must first secure an FDA permit. The lack of a permit does not necessarily mean that the products are harmful, however. 

Boxes of the products in question were confiscated by the NBI as evidence. 

According to the NBI, some of these products include those used against insects and on those applied on the body. 

The NBI also urged businessmen to comply with government requirements to avoid similar problems. 

“Rest assured we are fully cooperating with the authorities on this matter. We will continue to ensure full compliance with the FDA for the remaining products in process for approval,” Messy Bessy said in a statement on their Facebook page.

In the comment section, the company assured customers that their products – or at least those still being sold online and in-store – “are good to go.” The brand said “that all our products are made in FDA compliant facilities and made with carefully sourced ingredients.”  

At the same time, the company said products that have pending FDA permits have been “put on hold.” 

Messy Bessy, a homegrown Filipino business, is known for its “safe, plant-derived, and locally-made home and personal care products.” – Rappler.com