PHILIPPINE FOOD FORTIFICATION ACT OF 2000

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 8976 (Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000)

Title and Declaration of Policies (Sections 1-2)
- This law shall be known as the "Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000".
- The State recognizes the importance of addressing nutritional deficiencies in the Filipino diet through food fortification.
- Food fortification is vital to increase intake of essential nutrients and compensate for nutrient loss during food processing/storage.

Definition of Terms (Section 3)
- Defines key terms such as fortification, fortificant, micronutrient, manufacturer, nutrient, nutrition facts, nutrition labeling, processed food, RDA, Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program, and unprocessed food.

The Philippine Food Fortification Program (Sections 4-6)
- Covers all imported or locally processed foods/food products for sale or distribution in the Philippines, except dietary supplements with established DOH standards.
- Consists of two components:
    1. Voluntary Food Fortification (Section 5)
        - Encourages fortification of processed foods/products under the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program (SPSP).
        - Manufacturers not applying for SPSP shall fortify based on DOH standards.
    2. Mandatory Food Fortification (Section 6)
        - Mandatory fortification of staple foods:
            - Rice with iron
            - Wheat flour with vitamins A and iron
            - Refined sugar with vitamin A
            - Cooking oil with vitamin A
            - Other staples as required by NCC
        - Fortification to be done by manufacturers or importers.
        - Implementation for wheat flour, refined sugar, cooking oil, and rice shall commence after 4 years.
        - DOH guidelines on micronutrient fortification shall be followed.
        - Nutrition facts label indicating added nutrients is required.
        - Imported staples must comply with fortification requirements.

Quality Assurance (Section 7)
- Implementing agencies and manufacturers/importers shall establish quality assurance systems.

Implementation, Monitoring, and Review (Section 8)
- DOH through BFAD is the lead implementing agency, with NNC as advisory board.
- DOH responsible for promotion and advocacy, including SPSP.
- NCC to review micronutrients added at least every 5 years.
- Local government units to assist in monitoring and checking fortified foods.
- Food industries to report on production, marketing, distribution, concerns, and recommendations annually.

Support to Affected Manufacturers (Section 9)
- DTI to assist manufacturers in upgrading technologies and obtaining loans/financial assistance.
- DOST to develop and implement programs for acquiring and transferring machines/technologies.
- LBP and LIVERCOR to provide loans at preferential rates.
- Accredited analytical laboratories to provide necessary services.

Non-compliance and Administrative Sanctions (Sections 10-11)
- Non-compliance includes deviating from fortification levels, using unapproved fortificants, or non-conforming fortification process.
- Sanctions include denial of registration, product recall, and fines ranging from ₱300,000 to ₱1,000,000 and suspension/cancellation of registration.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 12)
- DOH through BFAD, in consultation with stakeholders, shall formulate IRR within 90 days and publish in a national newspaper.

International Commitments, Repealing Clause, Separability Clause, and Effectivity (Sections 13-16)
- The law shall not violate international treaties and agreements.
- Inconsistent laws, decrees, rules, and regulations are repealed or modified.
- Provisions found unconstitutional or unlawful shall not affect remaining provisions.
- The law shall take effect upon approval.