Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- State's policy to protect and promote people's health.
- Maintain an effective food regulatory system.
- Provide proper nutrition nationwide, especially for women and children.
- Promote nutritional fortification of food as a priority health program.
Purposes of the Act
- Eliminate micronutrient malnutrition, especially iodine deficiency disorders.
- Require producers/manufacturers to iodize food-grade salt.
- Department of Health (DOH) to undertake salt iodization program.
- Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to set standards and monitor compliance.
- Local government units (LGUs) to monitor quality of iodized salt in markets.
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to regulate iodized salt trading.
- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to promote technology transfer for iodization.
- National Nutrition Council (NNC) to serve as advisory board.
- Provide mechanisms and incentives for local salt industry.
- Ensure program sustainability.
Definition of Terms
- Micronutrient malnutrition: deficiency in vitamin A, iron, iodine, etc.
- Iodine deficiency disorders: Includes goiter, mental retardation, etc.
- Food fortification: Adding nutrients beyond natural levels.
- Salt iodization: Addition of iodine to salt as per BFAD standards.
- Food-grade salt: For human and animal consumption.
- Industrial salt: For non-food commercial products.
- Manufacturer category based on production volume: subsistence, small, medium, large.
Scope and Applicability
- Applies to entire salt industry: producers, importers, traders, distributors.
- Iodized salt must conform to BFAD standards.
- Phased enforcement over: 1 year for large and medium, 2 years for small, 5 years for subsistence producers.
- Food outlets, restaurants, stores must sell only iodized salt.
- LGUs to enforce through health officers, nutritionists, or sanitary inspectors.
- Iodized salt mandatory in iodine-deficiency endemic areas.
- Food manufacturers/processors must use iodized salt within 1 year, ensuring no prejudicial effects.
- Salt producers/manufacturers required to register with BFAD.
- Food-grade salt must be truthfully labeled.
- Free iodized salt to indigents in sixth class municipalities for 3 years.
Support for Salt Industry
- DTI to assist in upgrading technology, provide financial assistance, ensure distribution.
- Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA) to assist formation of salt producer cooperatives.
- DOST and Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) to develop iodization machines and transfer technology.
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to protect salt farm areas.
Public Information Campaign
- Nationwide and systematic dissemination of benefits of iodized salt.
- DOH to lead campaign with LGUs, DECS, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), private sector, and students.
- Media cooperation to be sought.
- Salt iodization included in all levels of health education.
Salt Iodization Advisory Board
- National Nutrition Council (NNC) with representatives from DENR, medical profession, salt manufacturers.
- Functions as policy and coordinating body.
- Coordinates efforts and monitors implementation.
- Submits annual progress report with recommendations to Congress.
Sanctions and Enforcement
- Procedures aligned with the Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act (RA 3720).
- Violators fined P1,000 to P100,000.
- Officers or members of business entities liable if they act beyond authority.
- Possible revocation of business permits and product bans.
- BFAD and LGUs authorized to impose sanctions and collect fines.
- Collections allocated for implementation of the Act.
Appropriations
- Initial funding charged to concerned agencies' appropriations under General Appropriations Act.
- Future funding included annually in General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DOH to formulate rules and regulations within 60 days from approval.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any part does not affect the rest of the Act.
Effectivity Clause
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or two national newspapers, whichever is earlier.