Manila: Authorities in the Philippines have warned citizens against a buying a brand of underwear endorsed by some celebrities, which claims to make the wearer “thinner”, apart from other supposed health benefits.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in its advisory number 2014-005, cautioned Filipino consumers against buying the undergarment brand “Onami”, saying the product has not undergone the agency’s scrutiny but is already being sold at shopping malls and through online retail service providers.
“All consumers are hereby warned against buying the said unregistered product from the market or through online,” the FDA said adding that: “Manufacturers or distributors … in the Philippines are strongly advised to remove the said products and apply for permits and clearances before offering them for sale or use.”
Onami underwear is becoming increasingly popular with Filipino women especially after the product was endorsed by 31-year-old Filipina actress Iza Calsado.
Aside from its top-notch celebrity endorser, the shape-hugging Onami underwear claims to provides anybody who wears the garment a number of health benefits such as improved metabolism, boosted immune system, increase mental alertness, reduced pain, fatigue and stress. It also claims to prevent body odours among a host of other features.
The underwear’s manufacturers claim their product provides health benefits because it contains “tourmaline”, a semi-precious gemstone, which they say has health benefits.
They also claim that the “black tourmaline embedded in the underwear” generates a weak electric current when heated or applied the right amount of pressure. They also claim that tourmaline produces infrared rays and converts moisture in the air to negative ions.
But the FDA said Onami cannot just make these claims and promote them as fact “without any clinical or scientific studies to back the therapeutic claims.”
Besides, the FDA said that upon its investigation, the product is not registered with the agency.
“Manufacturers or distributors of such devices need to secure a Licence to Operate (LTO) as manufacturer or distributor with the FDA. These products need to be registered also with the FDA to ensure that they meet safety, efficacy and quality standards, and all health claims made are truthful and are not misleading. Only health products that meet the FDA standards are issued the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR),” it said.
Onami products are priced much higher than the typical underwear sold in the Philippines. Its online store advertises its priciest product, a body set, at P9,500 (Dh773) while its cheapest under apparel, a set of arm sleeves, sells for P1,995 (Dh162).