Those in the seaweed industry have had their share of international intrigues when at one time in the past there were foreign groups who were peddling the idea that the Philippine carrageenan is carcinogenic. Earlier, another smear campaign against our Philippine natural grade carrageenan was spread – that our product cannot be used as food in the European market. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) export committee on food additives in Rome disputed this and proved that carrageenan is safe for human use as a food additive. This was the same pronouncement made in the US market.

Favis-Villafuerte, N., (2017, May 6). The future of seaweed industry (Part II). Manila Bulletin, p. B-3.