Legal basis and regulatory framework
- Republic Act No. 1929 prohibits the sale of acetic acid in any form in groceries and retail stores selling foodstuff, and it provides penalties for violations.
- Republic Act No. 3720 authorizes the Food and Drug Administration to promulgate regulations establishing reasonable definitions and standards of identity and quality for food under their common or usual names.
- Republic Act No. 3720 also prohibits the sale and manufacture of adulterated and misbranded food and food products, and it provides penalties for violations.
- Administrative Order No. 134 s. 1970 (Ministry of Health) prescribes standards of identity for vinegar.
Defined vinegar standard
- Vinegar is defined as the liquid produced by alcoholic and/or acetous fermentation of one or more of the following: malt, spirit, wine, cider, alcoholic liquors, fruits, grain, vegetables, honey glucose, sugar (including unrefined crystal sugar and refinery syrup) or molasses.
Prohibited conduct regarding glacial acetic acid
- Glacial acetic acid must not be offered for sale, sold, or distributed as VINEGAR by importers, distributors, sellers, purchasers, and others concerned.
- Glacial acetic acid must not be offered for sale, sold, or distributed for VINEGAR MANUFACTURE by importers, distributors, sellers, purchasers, and others concerned.
- The prohibition applies to importers, distributors, sellers, purchasers, and others concerned involved in the relevant sale, distribution, or use.
Consumer-protection mandate and warning
- All concerned are warned that glacial acetic acid is not to be sold or distributed as vinegar or for vinegar manufacture.
- The regulatory objective is to protect the interest of the consumer.
Enforcement and regulatory sanctions
- Violation of this Memorandum Order constrains the Bureau of Food and Drugs to impose regulatory sanctions it deems necessary to protect consumers.