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Our verdict
Only one brand passed our checks: McCormick, from its own Shopee shop. McCormick Italian Seasoning 200 g (83/100, ₱595) is the best herb blend, and McCormick Black Pepper Ground 70 g (80/100, ₱153) is the best single spice to start with. The onion and garlic powder bundle (71/100, ₱222) is a simple two-bottle set with a weight discrepancy to watch.
The cheap “Seasoning Powder Complete Set” listings with tens of thousands of sales are unbranded sets with no FDA registration number we could find, and the FDA has issued eight advisories since July 2026 against unbranded versions of the same powders. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
We searched the Shopee affiliate offer list and Shopee search for seasoning powder sets, spice and herb sets and single spices on October 24, 2026, then looked each brand up in the FDA Philippines food registry. We ranked only products we could match to a registration by name and pack in the brand’s own shop.
8
FDA advisories we counted between 16 July and 30 September 2026 against unregistered unbranded seasoning powders: white pepper (two), cumin (two), salt and pepper (two), chili and ginger. These are the same powders the “complete set” listings sell. Counted from the FDA Philippines portal on 24 October 2026; the portal shows only its first matches, so there may be more.
Best choice McCormick Italian Seasoning 200 g | Best value McCormick Black Pepper 70 g |  McCormick Onion + Garlic Powder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 83/100 | 80/100 | 71/100 |
| Our rating | |||
| Best for | Pasta, pizza, marinades: one jar of seven herbs | The first spice to buy and the cheapest per 100 g | A two-bottle starter for sauces and marinades |
| FDA food registration | FR-4000012983654, to Jun 2029 | FR-4000014634121, to May 2031 | FR-4000011699086 and FR-4000011892179, to Oct 2027 and Nov 2028 |
| Registration matches the pack | Yes (200 g bottle) | Yes (70 g shaker) | Title weights yes; description weights no |
| Ingredients stated | Seven herbs named | No | No |
| Ratings on this listing | 518 (4.97) | 568 (4.95) | 74 (4.97) |
| Price | ₱595 | ₱153 | ₱222 |
| Price per 100 g | ₱297.50 | ₱218.57 | ₱238.71 (title weights) |
| Listing problem | No allergen statement; dearest per 100 g | Description covers the range, not this pack | 48 g + 45 g in title, 37 g + 35 g in text |
| Buy | ShopeeLazada | ShopeeLazada | ShopeeLazada |
What a spice set should show, and what the FDA says
General information, not medical advice. The points below come from the FDA Philippines food registry and advisories, and from the listings we read.
- A food needs a registration number. FDA advisories on unbranded seasonings say the product is “not registered and no corresponding Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) has been issued”, and that the FDA “cannot assure its quality and safety”. A registered spice has an FR number in the registry under its product name.
- The registration follows the name and pack. McCormick’s registry entries name the pack, for example “Black Pepper Ground (70 g shaker)” and “Onion Powder (48 g glass bottle)”. A pack that does not appear by name, such as the 40 g pepper, is not matched.
- A brand name is not enough. The FDA has issued advisories on imported McCormick mixes sold without a Philippine registration (for example fajita, chili and taco seasoning mixes in 2023). Buy the packs made for the Philippines, and check the exact product in the portal.
- Unbranded sets are the problem category. Eight advisories since July 2026 name unbranded white pepper, cumin, salt-and-pepper, chili and ginger powder seasonings. The “complete set” listings we read sell these same powders in bottles with no brand and no registration number on the page.
- Check the weights. Two of the sets we read give three different weights for one product (a title, an attribute and the contents), and one of our picks does too. Ask the shop, and compare price per 100 g, not per bottle.
- Spices are not medicine. Listings that say a spice set is “healthier”, “low fat” or “sugar free” are using attributes that mean nothing for a dry spice (general information).
- Storage matters. Keep spices dry, away from heat and sun, as the McCormick listing advises, and check the expiry on arrival (general advice).
What the claims on these listings actually mean
| Claim | What it covers | Key exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| “Complete Set” of “Spices and Herbs” | A bundle of bottles with no brand | Not a product name; there is nothing to look up in the FDA registry |
| “100% natural and clean”, “no preservatives, no additives” (sets) | A claim about the powders | No ingredient list per bottle and no test shown; a registration is what shows it is a recorded food |
| “Sourced from Hanyuan’s sunny mountains” (sets) | A place of origin story | The same listings give “Country of origin: Others” |
| “Healthier Choice”, “Low Fat”, “Sugar Free” (set attributes) | Shopee attribute tags | Meaningless for a dry spice; any plain spice is fat-free and sugar-free |
| “600g” or “660g” in the title (sets) | The headline weight | The contents add up to 300 g (10 bottles of 30 g) and one attribute says 150 g |
| “Made from fresh, whole garlic cloves … 1/8 teaspoon is equivalent to one garlic clove” (McCormick garlic listing) | A usage equivalence from the brand | The brand’s statement; we did not test it |
| “Premium”, “No artificial additives” (blends) | Marketing words | No registration or ingredient list on the page |
| “FDA approved” | Not claimed by any listing we ranked | Foods are registered, not approved; look for an FR number |
Seasoning and spice listings we would be careful with
| Product | What we found | Our check |
|---|---|---|
| “Seasoning Powder Complete Set Spices And Herbs”, ₱28 to ₱388 (Sari-Sari Snacks, Healthy coco’s shop and others; up to 50K sold) | Unbranded 5 and 10-bottle sets of white pepper, cumin, chili, ginger, salt and pepper and five-spice, sourced “from Hanyuan”. No brand, no FDA number, country of origin “Others”. One listing says 600 g in the title, 300 g in the attributes and 10 bottles of 30 g in the description. The FDA has advisories on unbranded versions of these powders. | Not scored (no brand, no registration found, advisories) |
| “Mr.Squirrel 660g Seasoning Powder Complete Set”, ₱98 to ₱408 (Mr. Squirrel Snack Planet, listed 9 September 2026) | The same unbranded set with a Mr. Squirrel name on it: title 660 g, attribute 150 g, contents 10 x 30 g. The only Mr. Squirrel registration in our spice searches is for a balut five-spice snack egg, not seasoning powder. | Not scored (no matching registration) |
| Blendish Premium Herbs and Spices in bottle shakers, ₱14 to ₱108 (shop since 2022, 4,882 ratings on one listing) | A branded range with a long record, but we found no FDA registry entry under the name “Blendish” and the listing shows no registration number. | Not scored (no record found) |
| Baryo Natural and Jinky’s Daily Herbs & Spices sets, ₱85 to ₱1,512 | Branded sets and blends from shops that opened in 2025 and 2021. We found no food registration under either name (Jinky’s appears in the registry only as a licensed establishment). Baryo’s diet attributes include “Caffeine Free” and “GMO Free” for a herb mix. | Not scored (no record found) |
| Chef’s Cabinet Italian Herbs, ₱338 to ₱1,087 (Chef’s Cabinet shop, 24.6K followers) | The listing’s expiry attribute reads 04/30/2024, long past, and FDA Advisory No. 2026-1098 (17 September 2026) warns against “Chef’s Cabinet Rosemary Flakes”, an unregistered product with the same name. | Not scored (expired attribute, advisory) |
| SJX Food & Spices Supplies and similar repackers | Large shops (293K followers for SJX) selling repacked spices. The FDA has advisories on SJX Food & Spices Supplies Cajun seasoning (2023) and chicharon powder (2025), and on other spice repackers. | Not scored (advisories on the brand) |
| Imported McCormick mixes and US-size packs from other shops, ₱1,099 for a 29 oz Montreal steak seasoning | The FDA has issued advisories on imported McCormick mixes sold without a Philippine registration (2023). We found no registration for the US pack sizes. | Not scored (no matching registration) |
| Registered spice brands not sold on Shopee | Tagumpay (R.S. Lalusin repacking), Taurus Spice Mills, J&Y House of Spices and 3JM have FDA registrations for single spices, but we did not find them on Shopee by those names. | Not scored (not found on Shopee) |
Our picks
83/100
Herb blend
FDA food registration
518 ratings
₱297.50 per 100 g
| FDA status | Italian Seasoning (500 g metallized bag; 200 g PET bottle), McCormick Culinary, McCormick Philippines, Inc., FR-4000012983654, valid to 20 June 2029; no advisory names this product |
| Specifications stated | 200 g; “a blend of marjoram, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, oregano and basil” |
| Usage stated | Spaghetti sauce, vegetables, meat loaf, pot roast, pizza, chicken, dips, salad dressings, marinades, herb bread |
| Missing | No ingredient or allergen statement, no net weight outside the title, no suggested amount |
| Seller | mccormick.ph (Shopee, not marked Mall): joined 2019, 117.7K followers, 100% response; 4.97 stars from 518 ratings on this listing, about 1K sold |
| Price | ₱595 for 200 g = ₱297.50 per 100 g |
The only herb blend in this guide with an exact FDA food registration: the registry has the 200 g PET bottle by name and pack. It names the seven herbs it contains, which no set of unbranded “complete set” bottles does, and it comes from the brand’s own shop with 518 ratings on this listing.
It is the dearest per 100 g of the three, and it makes no promise about quantity or use beyond a list of dishes. Dried herbs lose aroma over time, so a 200 g bottle suits a household that cooks Italian-style dishes often; for occasional use buy the small 13 g or 15 g bottle instead (general advice).
Why it scored well
- Exact registration for the 200 g pack, valid to June 2029
- Names every herb in the blend
- The brand’s own shop, 518 ratings
Watch-outs
- Highest price per 100 g of the picks
- No ingredient or allergen statement on the page
- Shop is not marked Mall or official
80/100
Black pepper
FDA food registration
568 ratings
₱218.57 per 100 g
| FDA status | Black Pepper Ground (70 g shaker), McCormick, McCormick Philippines, Inc., FR-4000014634121, valid to 22 May 2031; no advisory names this product |
| Specifications stated | 70 g shaker; shelf life stated as 4 years for a glass bottle or plastic shaker |
| Usage stated | “The most used spice in cuisines all over the world and is often paired with salt”; storage tips (clean, dry, away from sun and wetness) |
| Inconsistencies | The description is a range paragraph for several pack types (29 g whole, 35 g and 70 g ground, 30 g peppermill), not this one pack |
| Seller | mccormick.ph: 4.95 stars from 568 ratings on this listing (545 five-star), about 1K sold; listed since May 2020 |
| Price | ₱153 for 70 g = ₱218.57 per 100 g |
Black pepper is the one spice almost every kitchen uses, and this is the pack with a registration that names it: “Black Pepper Ground (70 g shaker)”, valid to 2031. It has the lowest price per 100 g of the three picks and the cleanest buyer record, with two two-star and no one-star ratings out of 568.
The page does not describe this pack; it lists the whole McCormick pepper range and gives storage tips. There is no ingredient line, so you rely on the registration and the bottle label for what is inside. The 40 g single from the same shop has no registry record under that weight, so we did not rank it.
Why it scored well
- Exact registration for the 70 g shaker, valid to May 2031
- Lowest price per 100 g of the picks
- 568 ratings with no one-star
Watch-outs
- Description covers a range, not this pack
- No ingredient line on the page
- Shop is not marked Mall or official
71/100
Onion and garlic
FDA records for both bottles
Weights conflict
₱238.71 per 100 g
| FDA status | Onion Powder (48 g glass bottle), FR-4000011699086, valid to 10 October 2027, and Garlic Powder (45 g glass bottle), FR-4000011892179, valid to 6 November 2028, both McCormick Philippines, Inc.; no advisory names either |
| Specifications stated | Title: onion powder 48 g + garlic powder 45 g; description: “Bundle of McCormick Onion Powder 37g + McCormick Garlic Powder 35g” |
| Inconsistencies | Title weights (48 g, 45 g) and description weights (37 g, 35 g) do not match; the single Onion Powder 48g listing says “Net weight: 37g” |
| Seller | mccormick.ph: 4.97 stars from 74 ratings on this listing, 326 sold; listed February 2026 |
| Price | ₱222 for two bottles = ₱238.71 per 100 g on the title weights (₱308.33 on the description weights); the singles cost ₱120 + ₱102 = ₱222, so the bundle saves nothing |
Onion powder and garlic powder are the two seasonings that fill most “complete set” bottles, and this pair comes from the brand with a registration for each bottle by name and size. For a first set it is simple and easy to check.
The listing contradicts itself on size: 48 g and 45 g in the title, 37 g and 35 g in the text. The registry names the 48 g and 45 g bottles, so we scored it on the title, but a weight discrepancy of that size is a reason to ask the shop before buying. The bundle price equals the two singles, so you are not paying for a discount you are not getting, only for the convenience of one order.
Why it scored well
- A registration for each bottle by name and size
- Brand’s own shop
- Simple two-spice starter
Watch-outs
- Title and description give different weights
- No saving over buying the two singles
- Only 74 ratings on this listing
How to choose a spice set
- Start with a brand you can look up. A product with a name and an FR number in the FDA registry is a recorded food; a “complete set” with no brand is not.
- Match the pack. Search the registry for the brand and read the pack size in the product name; compare it with the listing.
- Buy by what you cook. Black pepper, garlic and onion powder cover most Filipino cooking. Add an herb blend only if you use Italian-style dishes (general advice).
- Compare price per 100 g, not per bottle or per “set”. McCormick pepper is ₱218.57 per 100 g, its Italian seasoning ₱297.50.
- Read the weights. If the title, the attributes and the description give different weights, ask the shop first.
- Check the expiry date on arrival, and ignore expiry attributes on the listing; one listing we read showed a date in 2024.
- Skip the health tags. “Low fat”, “sugar free” and “healthier choice” on a bottle of pepper tell you nothing.
How we researched this guide
We searched the Shopee affiliate offer list and Shopee search for seasoning powder complete sets, spice and herb sets, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder and single spices on October 24, 2026, then searched by brand (McCormick, Blendish, Baryo Natural, Jinky’s, Chef’s Cabinet, Tagumpay, Taurus, J&Y, 3JM and others) and read the FDA Philippines food registry and advisories. We identified each shop (Mall status, year joined, followers, ratings, response rate), read the full listings and scored three with our published rubric: provenance and registration (25), disclosure (20), claims (20), consistency (10), seller record (15) and value (10). We did not use, taste or test any product.
Only one brand passed our checks, so this guide is mostly an explainer with three picks from that brand. The registry search returns only the first matches for a word, so a product we list as “no record found” may be registered under a name we did not try. The McCormick shop is not marked Mall or official on Shopee; we judged it the brand’s own shop from its description, its registrations and its record. This guide has not yet been reviewed by our health content reviewer, and we have not checked the Shopee affiliate programme’s rules for this category.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best seasoning powder set in the Philippines?
Of the products we could match to an FDA food registration, McCormick Italian Seasoning 200 g (83/100, ₱595) is the best herb blend and McCormick Black Pepper Ground 70 g (80/100, ₱153) is the best single spice to start with. We found no unbranded "complete set" with a registration.
Are the cheap "Seasoning Powder Complete Set" listings safe?
We could not find a brand or FDA registration number for any we read, and the FDA has issued eight advisories since July 2026 against unbranded versions of the same powders. We did not rank them.
How do I check if a spice is FDA registered?
Search the brand name in the FDA verification portal and look for an FR number that matches the product name and pack size, with a validity date that has not passed.
Does McCormick have FDA registrations in the Philippines?
Yes. McCormick Philippines, Inc. holds food registrations for many products, for example Black Pepper Ground (70 g shaker, FR-4000014634121) and Italian Seasoning (200 g bottle, FR-4000012983654). Imported US-size mixes have drawn FDA advisories.
Why is the McCormick bundle ranked lowest?
The title gives 48 g and 45 g, the description gives 37 g and 35 g, and the bundle costs the same as buying the two bottles separately.
What spices do I need for Filipino cooking?
Black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder cover most dishes; add paprika, oregano or an Italian herb blend if you cook those styles (general advice).
Are McCormick spices sold in sachets?
Yes. The shop lists 3 g sachet sticks, such as Garlic Powder Granulated 12 x 3 g at ₱93, which cost more per gram than a bottle. We did not rank them.
Is Blendish registered?
We found no FDA registry entry under the name Blendish and its listing shows no registration number. It has a long sales record, but we did not rank it.
What does "Country of origin: Others" mean on a spice listing?
It is a Shopee option that does not name a country. A registered product normally names its maker in the registry; the listings with "Others" and no brand gave us nothing to look up.
How long do ground spices last?
McCormick's pepper listing gives 4 years for a glass bottle or plastic shaker, but flavour fades earlier, so check the printed expiry date (general advice).
Is garlic powder the same as fresh garlic?
McCormick's listing says 1/8 teaspoon of its garlic powder equals one clove. That is the brand's statement; taste and strength differ from fresh garlic (general information).
Can I trust "100% natural" on a seasoning set?
A claim like that needs an ingredient list per bottle and a registration to check; the sets we read had neither.
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