The Department of Trade and Industry yesterday warned the public against adulterated cement products following the seizure recently of 241 bags whose contents had been passed off as pure cement. The 40kg bags, popularly referred to as "buriki" were seized from two retailers in Caloocan City. According to the DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards, other materials had been added to the "buriki," making these substandard.
BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull said samples taken from the confiscated cement bags did not reach even half of the minimum requirement under the standard three-day and seven-day compressive strength tests for cement. "We are still waiting for the results of the tests to prove conclusively that the cement in these bags is substandard," Motoomull said. He warned retailers against buying cement from agents who do not have proof of business dealings with authorized cement dealers or retailers, to avoid buying adulterated cement.
