(NAR) VOL. 15 NOS. 1-2 / APRIL - JUNE 2004
a. all producers/manufacturers, repackers, importers, traders, distributors, and retailers including public market vendors of salt for human or animal consumption;
b. all food service establishments where food is being served or sold;
c. all food manufacturers/processors using salt in their manufacturing processes;
d. all local government units (LGUs);
e. all other government agencies;
f. all non-government agencies and related professional organizations involved in nutrition; and
g. all government and private hospitals and other institutions;
a. to contribute to the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition, particularly iodine deficiency disorders;
b. to ensure that only iodized salt is available in the market for human and animal consumption.b.1 require salt producers/manufacturers, importers, to iodize the salt they manufacture, produce, distribute, trade and/or import;
b.2 require salt repackers to repack and sell only iodized salt;
b.3 require distributors, retailers and vendors to distribute or sell only iodized salt;
b.4 require food processing and food service industries to use only iodized salt;
b.5 require food service establishments to use only iodized salt in the food they serve.
c. to require the national and local governments to perform their roles and responsibilities in implementing the act through the:c.1 provision of necessary resources;
c.2 provision of mechanisms and incentives for the salt industry
c.3 strict enforcement of the salt iodization program,
c.4 conduct of massive public information campaign
c.5 enactment and enforcement of ordinances to require compliance of manufacturers, importers, repackers, distributors, retailers, restaurants and food establishments
d. to ensure the sustainability of the salt iodization program through the concerted effort of all agencies as enumerated in Rule I and Rule VI hereof.
a. Center for Health Development (CHD) - refers to the former Regional Office of the Department of Health (DOH)
b. Distribution - means the exchange, transmittal, conveyance, consignment, supply, delivery, trade, sale, or disposal of food-grade salt, whether for remuneration or other considerations.
c. Distributor - refers to a person or an establishment, which distributes, sells or imports salt for distribution to retailers, outer outlets.
d. Fortificant - in relation to the process of salt iodization, the terms refers to potassium iodate or other suitable fortificant, provided it is recommended and approved by DOH-BFAD, taking into consideration the circumstances of quality, effectiveness, stability, availability and new discoveries that can facilitate salt iodization in the most effective and economic manner.
e. Food fortification - refers to addition of nutrients to processed foods at levels above the natural state.
f. Food-grade salt - refers to salt for human and animal consumption as distinguished from industrial salt.
g. Food manufacturers/processors - refers to the business/enterprise of manufacturing or processing food using salt in their products.
h. Food service establishments - refers to hotels, restaurants, carinderias, catering firms, hospitals, canteens and other similar outlets which serve or sell food to consumers.
i. Importer - one who buys salt from outside the country.
j. Industrial salt - refers to salt used in the treatment, processing and/or manufacture of non-food commercial products.
k. Iodized salt - ordinary salt with fortificant Potassium Iodate (K103) as defined in item d.
l. Iodine deficiency disorders - a broad spectrum of manifestations resulting from lack of iodine in the diet which leads to the reduction of intellectual and physical capacity affecting everyone who is iodine deficient and may manifest as goiter, mental retardation, physical and mental defects and cretinism.
m. Label - any written, printed or graphic matter upon any article or any of its container or wrappers or accompanying the packaged food, that describes the product.
n. Licensing - the process of securing from the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) a license as manufacturer, producer, trader or importer of iodized salt, Provided that the importer shall also secure a license to manufacture and iodize the imported salt.
o. Manufacturer - as used in this IRR, one who produces, imports, trades in and distributes salt which is categorized as follows:1. Large producer/manufacturer - one who produces, imports, trades and/or distributes and sells salt exceeding two thousand metric tons (2,000 MT) per year.
2. Medium producer/manufacturer - one who produces, imports, trades in, distributes, sells salt ranging from more than three hundred metric tons(300 MT) to two thousand metric tons (2,000 MT) per year.
3. Small salt producer/manufacturer - one who produces, trades in or distributes/sells salt ranging from more than two metric tons (2 MT) to three hundred metric tons (300 MT) per year.
4. Subsistence producer/manufacturer- one who produces, trades in or distributes salt not exceeding two metric tons (2 MT) of salt per year.
p. Method - refers to the scientifically accepted technique that is perceived to bring about the best and most effective way of salt iodization.
q. Micronutrient malnutrition - refers to a disorder resulting from deficiencies in vitamin A, iron, iodine and other micronutrients which the body needs in minute quantities every day.
r. Registration - the process of acquiring from the BFAD a certificate of product registration (CPR).
s. Regulatory requirements - the provisions of all applicable laws, regulations, executive orders, and other enactments related to food quality and safety, purity, nutritional composition, and other aspects of food regulations and control. In applying or interpreting the regulatory requirements, reference may also be made to scientifically accepted standards or regulations.
t. Repacker - one who packs iodized salt from bulk packaging to retail packaging in furtherance of distribution of food or one who buys and repacks using its own label.
u. Salt industry - refers to the business sector engaged in the production, distribution, trading, retailing, and importation of salt.
v. Salt iodization - the addition to iodine to salt intended for human and animal consumption in accordance with specifications as to form, fortificant, method, manner and composition as may be prescribed by the BFAD of the DOH.
w. Salt Iodization Advisory Board (SIAB) - is the policy and coordinating body for the national salt iodization program, composed of members of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Governing Board, including a representative each from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the medical profession, and salt manufacturers.
x. Signage - any written, printed or graphic material not less than 8 1/2 x 11" in size stating that the establishment uses iodized salt in their food products in compliance with the ASIN Law.
y. Stores/Markets - refers to department stores, shops, groceries, mini-marts, sari-sari stores, wet markets and other outlets which sell wholesale or retail iodized salt to consumers.
z. Trading - refers to the buying and selling of food-grade salt by wholesale or retail.
COMPOSITION AND STANDARDS
Purity requirements
Identification
positive for Sodium and Chloride
Assay, min 97% (dry basis) Moisture, max 4% for refined salt 8% for unrefined salt
Calcium and Magnesium, max 2% Arsenic, max
1.0 mg./kg Cadmium, max 0.5 mg/kg Lead, max 2.0 mg/kg Mercury, max 0.2 mg/kg
Iodine levels
Source Type of container/package Bulk (>2 kgs) Retail ( < 2 kgs) Locally produced salt Production site 70 - 150 mg/kg 60 - 100 mg/kg Retail Site
50 - 100 mg/kg 40 - 100 mg/kg Imported salt 70 - 150 mg/kg 60 - 100 mg/kg
a. Iodine levels testing: at regular intervals on a daily basis, samples of iodized salt shall be collected from the production line and tested for iodine content using the titration method and/or iodine test kits.
b. Equipment inspection: at least twice daily to ensure its proper operation.
c. Mixing process shall be monitored regularly to ensure consistent mixing and homogeneity of iodine content in the batch being processed.
d. Monitoring of salt ready for distribution: each lot shall be sampled to ensure the integrity of the salt in the package.
e. Packaging and labeling inspection shall be routinely conducted to ensure conformity to prescribed labeling requirements.
f. Record keeping: daily control charts and weekly summaries of activities and corrective actions taken shall be maintained for a period of at least 12 months from date of manufacture. Manufacturers of iodized salt shall provide traders with a Salt Iodization certification indicating the iodine level of the specified Batch No. traded, or lot sold to the traders and the date of iodization.
a. enact and enforce local ordinances to support the implementation of the ASIN Law by requiring all outlets, supermarkets, wet markets and vendors to sell only iodized salt, salt producers to iodize the salt they produced and food service establishments such as restaurants to use iodized salt and to display in their premises the proper signage that they use iodized salt for all their food products;
b. monitor the presence of iodine in salt as provided in Section 2, Rule VIII, through its respective market inspectors/supervisors, health officers, nutritionist-dietitians, sanitary inspectors and/or any official designated by the local chief executive;
c. establish and maintain a list of salt producers, importers and distributors in their respective territorial jurisdiction. A list of registered salt producers, importers and distributors in every province shall be submitted to BFAD within six (6) months from the effectivity of this revised IRR. The list shall reflect the following information per salt producer/manufacturer, importer or distributor:
1. Name and address of company and/or owner/producer/importer or distributor;
2. Location of salt production site (sitios/barangay) or warehouse;
3. Annual production capacity (in metric tons) or importation;
4. Types of salt produced/imported or distributed:
- food-grade (course or fine) - iodized salt - non-iodized salt (industrial) 5. Distribution channels, such as:
- direct selling to consumers within the province
- traders within the province
- traders from other provinces/regions
- food manufacturers within the province - food manufacturers outside the province/regions
d. provide budget for the implementation of ASIN Law and its IRR;
e. assist in organizing salt producers into cooperatives;
f. provide semestral accomplishment report to the DOH-CHD copy furnished to BFAD, for the first three years from approval of the IRR;
g.assist other government agencies in the implementation of the salt iodization program.
a. monitor the price and supply situation of iodized salt in accordance with RA 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act;
b. provide incentives to the salt industry by including salt iodization as a priority investment program of the government through its Board of Investments;
c. assist salt producers/manufacturers obtain soft loan for machines, equipment and other materials such as fortificant and other chemicals needed to upgrade the salt industry, through its Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SBGFC);
d. provide assistance to salt producers/manufacturers on matters of package design and packaging technology through its Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP); and
e. draw out recommendations/mechanisms to facilitate production and distribution of iodized salt for human and animal consumption.
a. develop and implement an appropriate program for assistance to salt producers/manufacturers in the design and fabrication of salt iodization equipment;
b. provide technical assistance in the design, maintenance and operation salt iodization machines;
c. transfer appropriate salt iodization technology to salt producers/manufacturer;
d. assist in the promotion of iodized salt utilization and consumption;
e. assist local salt producers in meeting the quality specifications defined in Rule IV, Section 1 through promotion of improved methods of producing industrial grade salt from solar evaporation; and
f. continue to conduct food fortification R & D and related R & D in support of the implementation of R.A. 8172
a. integrate salt iodization and food fortification concepts in the elementary and secondary school curriculum;
b. monitor the use of iodized salt used in the households through the school children;
c. require the use of iodized salt in the preparation of salt seasoned food items sold at the school canteens, all food establishments within school premises, and food supplements distributed by schools;
d. promote the use of iodized salt through the Teacher-Child- Parent (TCP) approach of the feeding programs.
a. provide funding assistance to qualified small producers, especially if located in one of the priority provinces in support of the government's poverty alleviation and industry decentralization drive;
b. develop a program of training entrepreneurs in setting up micro/cottage/small business enterprises to be located in its Technology and Livelihood Development Centers (TLDC) in the provinces;
c. undertake an all-out information campaign to promote the use of iodized salt nationwide through its tri-media information program and its business technology courses.
a. provide technical assistance to small and subsistence salt producers/manufacturers so that they may organize themselves into cooperatives and undertake salt iodization and marketing of iodized salt in the spirit of cooperativism. The organized cooperatives shall be registered in accordance with the CDA guidelines, rules, regulations and applicable laws; and
b. encourage registered cooperatives to trade only food grade iodized salt and assist in the promotion of the ASIN Law and monitoring of compliance thereof.
a. provide assistance to prospective salt producers/manufacturers identifying suitable land areas appropriate for use as salt works/farms. The conversion of such lands into salt farms shall require the concurrence of the landowner and the concerned agency/entity. The DENR shall ensure, through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) System, that the proposed activities near the salt farms do not adversely affect the latter or vice-versa;
b. monitor the adoption of anti-pollution control measures by iodized salt producers/manufacturers;
c. assist in the promotion of iodized salt;
d. identify areas not suitable for salt production and monitor contaminants such as, but not limited to arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, etc.; and
e. assist salt farm owners to seek exemption from Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).
a. provide BFAD a list of salt importers, and/or consignees on a quarterly basis. In addition, the BOC shall immediately inform BFAD of every entry of salt importation together with their quantities, names and addresses of importers and/or consignees, as soon as the import entry is reported to the BOC. For this purpose, the Commissioner of the BOC shall issue a Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) to all Collectors of Customs in all ports of entry in order that this can be complied with regularly;
b. hold any imported salt without any clearance from BFAD that the salt imported has been iodized. Furthermore, the BOC shall coordinate with the BFAD authorized personnel in the inspection and/or testing of all imported salt, whether industrial or food grade salt. The BOC can order the release of imported salt, only upon clearance from the BFAD;
c. hold the release of imported salt that has been found to be not iodized until the salt is iodized. The BOC however, may cause the transfer of the non-iodized salt to a bonded warehouse, upon the execution of a bond by the importer, in favor of BFAD. Such bond shall be forfeited in favor of BFAD in the event of non-compliance with the order of BFAD to the imported to have the salt iodized. The cost of iodization and the premium on the bond shall be for the account of the importer; and
d. cooperate with BFAD in monitoring the entry of salt in all ports of entry and the BOC personnel may be deputized by BFAD in this undertaking.
Local Government Units
Bureau of Food and Drugs Hospitals Food processors/manufacturers Food service establishment (restaurants, hotels, food chains, catering services, school canteens and street food outlets)
Salt importers Salt outlets (wet markets, sari-sari stores) Salt producers/repackers/distributors/ Traders Bakeries Supermarkets
a. For the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) (See Annex 3* - Flow Chart of BFAD Administrative Proceedings)
1. Inspection shall be conducted monthly by duly authorized Food and Drug Regulation Officer (FDRO) in the premises of food processors or manufacturers, salt importers, salt producers/distributors/traders/repackers where any salt is received, held, manufactured, labeled, stored, displayed, delivered distributed, sold or located or wherever it is reasonably believed these activities are being carried out.
2. Reports on the findings together with a Report of Analysis, if any, shall be submitted to BFAD-Legal Information and Compliance Division (LICD) by duly authorized FDROs.
3. The LICD shall determine if a probable cause for complaint exist. If there is a probable cause, the LICD shall file a complaint with the Office of the BFAD Director.
4. A notice shall be sent by BFAD Director to the manufacturer, trader, repacker, retailer/distributor or processor - subject of complaint, requiring the filing of an answer which shall be under oath within ten (10) days from receipt of notice to show valid cause in writing why no administrative sanctions shall be imposed for the violation, giving consideration to due process.
5. If no answer is received within the prescribed period by BFAD, the case shall be resolved by BFAD Director. If the answer raises factual issues, a hearing shall be conducted.
6. If the decision calls for the imposition of fines, and the same has already become final and executory, the LGU may, by authority of the BFAD Director, collect the fine that may be imposed provided that such fine collected shall be held in trust for the exclusive use by the investigating LGU in the implementation of RA 8172 and its IRR.
Fines imposed and collected by BFAD from violators shall accrue to the BFAD for its use in the implementation of ASIN Law pursuant to Sec. 9, RA 8172.
b. For the Local Government Units (LGU) without Ordinance But With MOA (See Annex 4* - Flowchart of LGU Administrative Proceedings Without Ordinances & with MOA)1. The Health Officers, Market Inspectors/Supervisors, Nutritionist-Dietitians, Sanitary Inspectors or any official designated by the Local Chief Executive shall conduct inspection on wet markets, sari-sari store, food outlets such as restaurants, hotels, food chains and catering services, as well as other similar establishments under the jurisdiction of LGUs.
The above-mentioned officers may conduct inspection of salt producers/distributors/traders provided they are given authority by BFAD.
2. Salt samples that are tested with iodine levels below standards and those negative for iodine, shall be sent to BFAD or the nearest Centers for Health Development formerly Regional Health Offices or other laboratories accredited by BFAD for confirmatory analysis.
3. Report on violations shall be submitted by the authorized officer to the Local Chief Executive for information and review, who shall file complaint and give notice to violator to file an answer within 10 days from receipt.
4. If the respondent files an answer, the issue of facts shall be joined and if necessary, a hearing shall be conducted.
5. If no answer is received within the prescribed period from the respondent, a decision by the investigating officer confirmed by the Local Government Chief Executive shall be submitted to BFAD Director for review and confirmation.
6. The LGU concerned shall prepare recommendatory decision subject to review and confirmation by BFAD Director.
7. If the decision calls for the imposition of fines, and the same has already become final and executory, the LGU may, by authority of the BFAD Director, collect the fine that may be imposed provided that such fine collected shall be held in trust for the exclusive use by the investigating LGU in the implementation of RA 8172.
c. For LGU with Local Ordinance (See Annex 5* -Flowchart of LGU Administrative Proceedings with Ordinance)1. The Health Officers, Market Inspectors/Supervisors, Nutritionist-Dietitians, Sanitary Inspectors or any official designated by the Local Chief Executive shall make the inspection and monitoring of establishment covered by the ordinance.1.1 The frequency of the inspection would depend on the ordinance or at the discretion of the local chief executive.
1.2 Any private individual or group who has knowledge of the violation of the ordinance may report the same to the chief executive of the LGU or any of the designated officers.
1.3 All salt samples, when tested and found negative, shall be sent to BFAD or any CHD for confirmatory analysis.
2. Upon findings of any violation of the Ordinance, the officer concerned shall make a report including all evidences and recommend the filing of appropriate court action to the local chief executive.
3. When the Local Chief Executive approves the recommendation, he shall order the filing of the charges with the appropriate court (Note: violations of ordinance as provided by laws and the rules of court are to be filed with the regular court)
4. The officer who made the report shall assist in the prosecution of the case.
5. After the filing of the case, regular court proceedings will now apply. (Rules on Summary Procedures).
6. Upon the termination of the case, sanctions and penalties will be imposed, if violation of the ordinance was proved.
7. The fines collected should be used for the effective enforcement of the ordinance or the ASIN Law.
4.1 Said administrative fines shall be graduated according to category of producers/manufacturers, traders, distributors and repackers. The bigger the volume the bigger the fines.
In the imposition of the said immediate penalty, the imposable fine of One Thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00) shall be considered minimum penalty. Thirty One Thousand pesos (P31,000.00) to Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,000.00) as medium penalty, and Sixty One Thousand Pesos (P61,000.00) to One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) as maximum penalty, provided that the maximum fine shall be in addition to the revocation of the offender's License to Operate, and provided further that in all cases where the subject matter of the offense is a prohibited product, the BFAD Director shall order the recall and/or withdrawal of the product from the market.
(SGD.) HON. MANUEL M. DAYRIT, M.D., M.Sc. | |
Secretary of Health and Member, NNC Governing Board | |
(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR. | (SGD.) ESTRELLA F. ALABASTRO |
Secretary of Agriculture and | Secretary of Science and Technology |
Chairman, National Nutrition Council | and Member, NNC Governing Board |
(SGD.) JOSE D. LINA, JR. | (SGD.) MANUEL ROXAS |
Secretary of the Interior and Local | Secretary of Trade and Industry and |
Government and Member, | Member, NNC Governing Board |
NNC Governing Board | |
(SGD.) EDILBERTO C. DE JESUS | (SGD.) ROMULO L. NERI |
Secretary of Education and Member, | Secretary of National Economic and Devt. Authority |
NNC Governing Board | Member, NNC Governing Board |
(SGD.) CORAZON JULIANO-SOLIMAN | (SGD.) PATRICIA A. STO. TOMAS |
Secretary of Social Welfare and | Secretary of Labor and Employment and |
Development and Member, | Member, NNC Governing Board |
NNC Governing Board | |
(SGD.) ELISEA G. GOZUN | (SGD.) EMILIA T. BONCODIN |
Secretary of Department of Environment | Secretary of Budget and Management and |
and Natural Resources | Member, NNC Governing Board |
(SGD.) MR. FEDERICO A. LAXA | (SGD.) RENATO S. VELASCO, Ph.D |
Director of Technology and Livelihood Director | General of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) |
Resource Center (TLRC) | |
(SGD.) MR. RUBEN M. CONTI | (SGD.) ELISA VALDECANTOS |
Chairman of Cooperative Development | Member, NNC Governing Board |
Authority | |
(SGD.) MS. TINA MONZON PALMA | (SGD.) CARMELA C. TIANGCO |
ABS-CBN Foundation | GMA Foundation |
Member, NNC Governing Board | Member, NNC Governing Board |
(SGD.) JOHNNY KHONG HUN | (SGD.) DR. JOSE T. SANCHEZ |
Co-Chair, Sub-Committee on Salt | President, Phil. Medical Association |
Iodization Salinas Foods, Inc. | Member, Salt Iodization Advisory Board |
Pacific Farms, Inc. | |
Witnesses: | |
(SGD.) ADELISA C. RAMOS, MPH, MPA, CESO IV | (SGD.) ELSA M. BAYANI, CESO III |
Deputy Director of Food, Bureau of Food | Executive Director |
and Drugs Department of Health | National Nutrition Council |
(SGD.) PROF. LETICIA BARBARA B. GUTIERREZ, MSc. | |
Director IV, Bureau of Food and Drugs | |
Department of Health |