Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8976)
The title of Republic Act No. 8976 is the "Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000."
The State recognizes the importance of food fortification to address nutritional deficiencies in the Filipino diet and considers it vital in promoting optimal health and compensating for nutrient losses due to food processing or storage.
Fortification is defined as the addition of nutrients to processed foods or food products at levels above their natural state to control micronutrient deficiency by adding a deficient micronutrient to a widely consumed food among specific at-risk groups.
The Department of Health (DOH) through the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) is the lead agency responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Act.
Mandatory fortification is required for rice with iron; wheat flour with vitamin A and iron; refined sugar with vitamin A; cooking oil with vitamin A; and other staple foods as may be required by the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
The SPSP is a voluntary program encouraging food manufacturers to fortify processed foods with essential nutrients at levels approved by the DOH, allowing approved products to use a DOH seal of acceptance as a guide for consumers.
Sanctions include denial of product registration, recall orders, fines starting from P300,000 with suspension of registration for first violation, increased fines and suspension for second violation, and fines up to P1,000,000 with cancellation of registration for third violation.
It covers all imported or locally processed foods or food products sold or distributed in the Philippines, excluding dietary supplements with established standards prescribed by the DOH through BFAD.
The Department of Trade and Industry assists with technology upgrading and financial assistance; the Department of Science and Technology develops and transfers technologies; Land Bank and LIVECOR provide loans at preferential rates; and accredited laboratories offer analytical and technical services.
Both the implementing agencies and the manufacturers/importers are required to establish quality assurance systems to ensure compliance with fortification standards.