Manufacturer of Koi herbal capsules denies distribution of ‘fake’ products

Legal counsel says claims originated from a marital spat

The legal counsel for the manufacturer of Koi herbal capsules yesterday denied claims the company was distributing “fake” products.

During a press conference, Atty. Jose Max Ortiz explained the company is under Francis and Katherine Cabuga.

“Koi Herbal Products was started by the company of my client, [Katherine Cabuga],” he stated. “Everything, the management and operations, was conjugal.”

The attorney went onto claim a “marital misunderstanding” affected the company, adding, with a case before the Regional Trial Court-Branch 54, he expects the two will work out a settlement.

Earlier this week, At ty. Er fe Del Castillo, legal counsel for Health First Wellness Laboratories Inc., filed a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against Interchemex Laboratories and Franzkate Marketing, which are owned by Catherine Cabuga.

She said the matter came to their attention after it was discovered the fake products had been distributed across Panay, Negros, Cebu, and other parts of the country since last year.

Del Castillo presented two boxes of Koi herbal capsules, both of which had similar packaging; however, upon close examination, the real capsule was filled with a substance described as powdery with no odor, while the fake product contained a moist substance that emitted an odor. The two also differed in color and the amount each capsule contained.

Meanwhile, in response to Del Castillo presenting their company’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) proof of product registration showing them as the legitimate manufacturer of the said product, Ortiz pointed out that Koi Corporation is a separate company.

“A certificate of registration was issued by the FDA to Franzkate and for Koi Corporation,” he affirmed.

The lawyer added, Franzkate received their certification before Koi.

Ortiz called the matter “nonsense” and asked, “What is fake? The box or the Koi capsule itself?”

He also explained, all products go through an FDA analysis before they are released on the market.

“The manufacturer will never process the raw product, put it into a capsule, and sell it without going through the FDA processes,” Ortiz stated.