Meat processing Firm sued by Bureau of Customs

Yesterday, the Bureau of Customs filed a smuggling case against Foodsphere Inc., the meat processing firm whose major clients are CDO Karne Norte and Samba Corned Beef.

Customs commissioner Angelito Alvarez stated in a press conference held at the Department of Justice that Foodsphere Inc. undervalued the buffalo meat imported from India by more than 32%.

According to the charge sheet released by the customs, the company declared the per kilo value at $1.50 or P66 for shipments delivered from October 2009 to March 2011 while other meat importers declared a per kilo value of $2.58 or P113.52 for the same product from the same supplier during the same period.

Foodsphere Inc., on the other hand, firmly denies the accusation and even described the charge as "frivolous" and "baseless". In a statement signed by company spokesman Raymund Fortun, Foodsphere explained that on March 18, 2011, the Bureau of Customs has requested them to submit importation documents for the year 2010. Fartun said that they have been providing all the necessary documents which were all prepared by the company's authorized customs broker.

"The company is greatly surprised with the filing of the case as well as the press releases of the Bureau of Customs, because the validation of information has not been concluded yet and the charges are premature at best," Fortun said. Moreover, he expressed confidence that the charge will be dismissed after due process takes place.

He even argued that Foodsphere has been in the food business for more than 35 years now and has never been involved in any illegal activities; stating, "It has always been a good corporate citizen and has abided by all the laws and regulations of the government in all of its transactions, and will continue to do so."

Bureau of Customs also filed charges against Romeo Lerit, a Manila-based customs broker, and several individuals for allegedly helping the said company in the false declaration of the goods, and the release of the shipments. — CIA