US-Based Filipinos Face Shortage of Mang Tomas, Other Filipino Condiments Amid Import Alert

Filipinos in the US are grappling with a shortage of beloved Filipino condiments, including Mang Tomas lechon sauce, Jufran banana and chili sauces, and Mother’s Best mixes, following a recent import alert from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The alert, issued on October 25, restricts certain food imports that contain ingredients flagged as unsafe food additives.

In a Facebook post, the Washington-based Sari-sari Store, a Filipino goods retailer, confirmed the shortage, noting, “No Filipino Spaghetti Sauces, UFC & Jufran Banana Sauces, and Mang Tomas Sauces in all grocery stores nationwide.” The store cited new FDA regulations that manufacturers must meet to resume exports.

Due to scarcity, some sellers have dramatically raised prices. Dr. Xavier Kee, based in Virginia, noted that an online store was selling a 19-ounce bottle of Mang Tomas for $29.97 (around PHP 1,750), with only nine bottles remaining.

NutriAsia, the manufacturer of Mang Tomas, UFC, and Jufran, assured consumers it had reformulated its products to meet updated FDA standards, with the revised shipments reaching the US last week. The products are currently undergoing standard FDA inspections, and NutriAsia expects them to be back on store shelves soon.

“We assure our US consumers that their favorite NutriAsia products will soon be back in stores with the same quality and taste they have grown to love,” the company said.

GMA News Online has reached out to HDR Food Corp., maker of Mother’s Best Sauces, for comment on the situation.