QuestionsQuestions (NFA Resolution NO. 195-2K4)
It cites compliance with Republic Act No. 8976 (An Act Establishing the Food Fortification Program and for Other Purposes).
It amends NFA Letter-Circular No. AO-2K4-07-001 on Iron Fortified Rice and Rice Based Products.
It means fortification should be implemented in stages according to the capability of the industry (e.g., mills/manufacturers/importers), rather than all at once.
The palay millers, rice importers, and palay owners if the rice is not owned by the millers.
No. Any additional cost in fortifying rice shall be shouldered by the millers, not by the farmers.
Yes. The notice states that mandatory fortification of rice with iron shall commence or start on 07 November 2004.
The notice initially says there will be no partial implementation; however, later it states that, after consultative meetings, phase-by-phase implementation is allowable.
Series of consultative meetings with the manufacturers and millers sector, and all concerned by DOH-BFAD and the NFA.
Any provisions of NFA Letter-Circular 2004 No. AO-2K4-07-001 dated June 15, 2004 that are inconsistent with the agreed considerations (phase-by-phase, cost not borne by farmers, and sole responsibility of millers/importers/owners) are deemed superseded.
Compliance is the sole responsibility of palay owners (in addition to millers/importers), if the rice is not owned by the millers.
The DOH-BFAD (Department of Health—Bureau of Food and Drugs) and the NFA.
The resolution is signed by Ofelia Cortez-Reyes (Board Secretary). The notice is signed by Alexander A. Padilla (Undersecretary for Health Regulation, DOH) and Gregorio Y. Tan, Jr. (Administrator, NFA).
The resolution is approved on November 04, 2004; the notice is adopted on 04 Nov. 2004 as well.
It indicates a primary/exclusive duty to ensure compliance rests on specific regulated parties (palay millers, importers, and palay owners), limiting accountability of other actors such as farmers.
How is “capability” determined in practice, and what evidence or criteria are used by NFA/DOH to allow staged implementation?