Mandatory Food Fortification.
Section 6
SEC. 6. Mandatory Food Fortification. - The fortification of staple foods based on standards set by the DOH through the BFAD is hereby made mandatory for the following: Rice - with Iron; Wheat flour - with vitamin A and Iron; Refined sugar - with vitamin A; Cooking oil- with vitamin A; and Other staple foods with nutrients as may later be required by the NNC. The National Nutrition Council (NNC) shall require other processed foods or food products to be fortified based on findings of nutrition surveys. Such requirement shall be promulgated through regulations to be issued by the Department of Health (DOH) through the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and other concerned agencies. The fortification of processed foods or food products under this Section shall be undertaken by the manufacturers: Provided, That in the case of imported processed foods or food products, the required fortification shall be done by producers/manufacturers of such imported processed foods or food products. Otherwise, the importer shall have responsibility of fortifying the imported processed foods or food products before said products are allowed to be distributed or sold to the public: Provided, further, That the implementation of the mandatory fortification for wheat flour, refined sugar, cooking oil and rice, including those milled and/or distributed by the National Food Authority, shall commence after four (4) years from the effectivity of this Act. The DOH guidelines on micronutrient fortification of processed foods or food products included in Administrative Order No. 4-A series of 1995 and such other necessary guidelines that may be issued by the DOH, shall serve as a basis for the addition of micronutrient(s) to processed foods or food products to avoid over or under fortification that may create imbalance in the diet as well as avoid misleading label claims to gain competitive marketing advantage. Manufacturers of processed foods or food products shall include on the label a statement of "nutrition facts" indicating the nutrient(s) and the quantities of said nutrients added in the food. Imported rice, wheat flour, refined sugar, cooking oil and other processed foods or food products that may be identified later by the NNC, shall comply with the requirements of this Act on entry in the country, at the end of manufacturing process and/or at all points of sale or distribution.