Raffy Tulfo Exposes Filthy Conditions in Columbia's Candy Factory

You'd expect a candy factory to be sparkling clean, especially when it produces treats that children across the country love. But a recent surprise inspection led by Senator Raffy Tulfo revealed a shocking reality inside a candy manufacturing facility that supposedly makes popular sweets like Potchi, iCool, Frutos, Monami, Champi, and Frooty.

Instead of spotless equipment and hygienic workspaces, what Tulfo and his team found was an environment that looked more like a rundown warehouse than a food production site.

A Candy Factory or a Health Hazard?

Tulfo’s team, joined by representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), visited the factory, identified in the video as Columbia, likely referring to Columbia International Food Products, Inc., a well-known maker of local candies.

The goal was to check on the condition of workers, but that quickly took a backseat when the team saw just how dirty the facility was. Machines used for mixing ingredients were visibly grimy. Open syrup containers sat exposed to dust and other contaminants. Tanks were rusted. There was no sign of any recent deep cleaning, and definitely no evidence that sanitation officers had ever done an inspection.

Tulfo called the facility “sobrang dugyot,” and for good reason. This isn’t just any factory, this is where food is made, food that mostly ends up in the hands (and mouths) of children. That should mean the highest standard of cleanliness is followed. Instead, what they saw raised serious public health concerns.

Where Are the Sanitation Inspectors?

Tulfo himself said it: sanitation officers should be included next time. But should there even be a “next time”? Why wasn’t the facility immediately shut down or suspended, at least temporarily, when clear violations were already in plain sight?

It doesn’t take a full inspection report to see that a factory filled with exposed syrup, rusting machines, and filthy workspaces shouldn't be allowed to continue food production. If this were a small eatery or a public market stall, it would have been closed on the spot.

Candy for Kids, Made in Questionable Conditions

This factory makes candies that are practically childhood staples in the Philippines. Potchi, Monami, iCool, and Champi aren’t just snacks, they’re a part of school lunchboxes, party giveaways, and sari-sari store shelves nationwide. The idea that they may be produced in unsanitary environments should alarm every parent.

Even more worrying, there was no mention of past sanitation inspections. If no government body has checked the cleanliness of this factory until now, how many others are flying under the radar?

No Urgency to Act?

While Tulfo’s team pointed out violations and promised a more thorough inspection next time, they also assured management that the factory wouldn’t be shut down, at least for now. They gave them a chance to fix the issues first.

Are these manufactured in this factory?

But is that enough? If inspectors saw this level of filth in a fast food kitchen or a school cafeteria, immediate closure would be expected. Why should a candy factory, especially one making food for kids, be treated differently?

There’s a lot we still don’t know, like whether products from this facility have ever been tested for contamination. But one thing is clear: no food manufacturer, especially one producing children’s snacks, should be operating in such an environment.

You can watch the full video on the Raffy Tulfo in Action YouTube Channel to see for yourself just how bad it was.

(via Raffy Tulfo in Action)