Philippine Coconut Authority Advice to Growing VCO Users

A recent study showed that virgin coconut oil (VCO) mixed with meals could reduce COVID-19 symptoms and prevent the progression or severity of the disease.  This has triggered demand for VCO locally and in the export market.  The VCO used in the study were strictly analyzed by the Laboratory Services Division of Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to ensure product quality and compliance to Philippine National Standard.  

PCA administrator, Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., has urged the public who would want to enjoy VCO medicinal benefits, particularly its proven ability as a food supplement against the dreaded COVID-19 to look for commercially available products that have the seal of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  He also requested VCO producers to have their samples analyzed by PCA prior to promotion and marketing.
“What they should look for is the FDA seal or the FDA approval of the product to make sure that these have passed evaluation,” Madrigal said in a virtual press briefing last week by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which presented the results of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute study on VCO as food supplement to reduce the symptoms of probable and suspect COVID-19 cases.  Madrigal hailed the successful study saying it could encourage further studies for COVID treatment and other diseases.