Good news for Filipinos in the US. After months of empty shelves and rising demand, Mang Tomas All-Purpose Sauce, UFC Banana Catsup, and Jufran Banana Catsup, these Filipino condiments can now return to stores.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted Import Alert 99-45. For Filipinos abroad, these bottles are more than just dipping sauces. UFC Banana Catsup sweetens birthday spaghetti. Jufran pairs perfectly with lumpia shanghai. Mang Tomas gives leftover lechon a second life as lechon paksiw. This is more than a product update. It’s a reunion with flavors that feel like home.
They’re not just condiments. They’re comfort food. They help preserve tradition in kitchens far from home.
Why the Shortage Happened
In July 2024, the FDA added these products to its red list. The reason was their use of potassium iodate—an ingredient allowed in the Philippines under the ASIN Law, but not in the US.
NutriAsia, the maker of Mang Tomas, UFC, and Jufran, quickly reformulated the products for export. Shipments resumed by August. But the alert was still in place, so many containers were delayed or detained.
Shoppers across the country felt the pinch. In Long Island, a user posted, “Every Asian market is out of UFC and Mang Tomas.” In Daly City, supplies ran low. In Guam, someone offered $250 for a single bottle of Mang Tomas. The Filipino condiments catsup shortage hit hard.
Cleared for Return—and a Big Relief
On May 16, 2025, the FDA officially removed the products from Import Alert 99-45, ending the long wait.
“We are very happy with the approval of our petition,” said Angie Flaminiano, President and COO of NutriAsia. “I’m sure our kababayans and American consumers are very happy too.”
“We followed the process and worked closely with US and Philippine agencies,” added Mario Mendoza, Head of New Business Development.
NutriAsia thanked the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine FDA, the US Department of Commerce, the US Embassy in Manila, and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez for their support.
You Can Cook Simpol Recipes Again
These sauces aren’t just sidekicks. They’re essentials. Many Simpol recipes call for banana catsup to add color and sweetness to barbecue marinades, adobo, or embutido. Mang Tomas brings depth to lechon paksiw, turning leftovers into celebration-worthy meals.
Without them, many overseas cooks had to improvise. Now, they can go back to cooking their favorites—just the way they’re meant to taste.
What to Expect in Stores
Filipino groceries across the US are now restocking. Expect to see Mang Tomas, UFC, and Jufran in stores like Seafood City, Island Pacific, H-Mart, and online through Amazon and Filipino food retailers.
Both regular and hot & spicy variants are available. All bottles are FDA-compliant and carry new best-before dates starting May 2025.
The taste remains the same. But this time, there’s no need to ration bottles or pay high resale prices. These staples are back—for good.
Why This Matters
Food isn’t just fuel. It connects us to who we are and where we come from. In Filipino homes abroad, banana catsup and sarsa carry the weight of memory and culture.
Now that Mang Tomas, UFC, and Jufran products in the US are available again, home just got a little closer.
