FDA, DOH want LGU to regulate salt trade
CEBU, Philippines - The Food and Drugs Administration and the Department of Health in Central Visayas are pushing to localize the regulatory functions in Republic Act 8172 or An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide or ASIN Law.
Rica Reina Aumentado, FDA-7 in-charge supervisor, presented the importance to localize the regulation of salt iodization during the Stakeholders Forum on Salt Iodization held recently at Cebu Grand Hotel.
Aumentado said this will strengthen the capability and capacity of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in implementing the ASIN Law. It will also expand the authority of LGUs by delegating the authority to license, inspect and monitor salt industry players.
The ASIN Law, as stated by Aumentado, was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos on December 20, 1995, which aims to alleviate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in the country.
The said law also mandates concerned government agencies to enforce salt iodization standards, and requires food grade salt producers and traders to iodize the salt they produce, manufacture and distribute.
Aumentado said that one of the purposes of the said law is to require DOH to undertake the salt iodization program and for FDA to set and enforce standards for food grade iodized salt and to monitor compliance to the standards.
Among the regulatory functions in the ASIN law that will be localized include the masterlisting of all salt-industry players, food processors and food establishments, licensing of salt industry players as well as inspection, monitoring, issuance of clearance and imposition of penalties.
Aumentado however clarified that the issuance of certificate of product registration should remain with FDA while the standards of quality relevant to ASIN Law will also be provided by FDA.
According to Aumentado, the localization process takes place, through mobilization of local and national pool of trainers, conducting advocacy or orientation sessions, piloting roll-out training and subsequent mentoring and coaching, providing resource materials and LGU counterpart contributions.
Aumentado said that the LGUs are authorized to impose administrative fine to food service establishments and outlets in the amount of not less than P1,000 but not more than P100,000 as penalty.