Mandating iodization in salt production needs to be amended — Sen. Cynthia Villar

Summary

Republic Act 8172, known as the Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN) Law, mandates iodization of all salt produced in the Philippines to combat iodine deficiency. However, Senate Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Cynthia Villar proposed amending the law due to concerns about its financial burden on farmers and the disproportionate demand for iodized salt in fertilizers rather than food. The Department of Health warns that removing salt iodization could lead to increased iodine deficiency, including goiter, stressing the importance of maintaining this public health measure. The law's amendment is still undergoing legislative review.

Takeaways

• 😀 Republic Act 8172, also known as the Salt Iodization Nationwide Law (ASINLO), mandates the iodization of all salt production in the country to combat iodine deficiency and micronutrient malnutrition.
• 😀 Senator Cynthia Villar expressed her intention to amend the law due to the fact that most of the iodized salt produced is used for fertilizer rather than for food consumption.
• 😀 Senator Villar highlighted the high cost of iodizing salt and the financial burden it places on the farmer sector, suggesting a need for amendments to address these concerns.
• 😀 According to Nazario Breguera, Chief Information Officer at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, there is no comprehensive data on salt production in the country, aside from that provided by the private sector.
• 😀 The Department of Agriculture emphasized the need for a more thorough legislative process for any amendments to the Salt Iodization Law to ensure the farmer sector's concerns are addressed.
• 😀 The Department of Health (DOH) warned that removing the salt iodization process could lead to an increase in iodine deficiency, such as goiter, across the population.
• 😀 The DOH stressed the importance of salt iodization in preventing iodine deficiency and noted its success in reaching various age groups throughout the population.
• 😀 The primary aim of the Salt Iodization Nationwide Law is to reduce iodine deficiency, which affects millions of Filipinos.
• 😀 The debate on the law has raised concerns about balancing public health with the challenges faced by local farmers and the salt industry.
• 😀 The Department of Health continues to advocate for the preservation of salt iodization, citing its critical role in public health and nutrition.

Q & A

What is Republic Act 8172, also known as the Asin Law?

Republic Act 8172, or the Asin Law, mandates the nationwide iodization of salt in order to prevent micronutrient malnutrition, particularly iodine deficiency, in the Philippines.

Why is Senator Cynthia Villar proposing amendments to the Asin Law?

Senator Cynthia Villar is proposing amendments to the Asin Law because most of the iodized salt produced in the country is being used for fertilizers rather than for food consumption. She suggests that the law may need adjustments to better serve the agricultural and food sectors.

What are the concerns raised by Senator Villar regarding the ionization process?

Senator Villar raised concerns that the ionization process is expensive and requires significant resources, which might be a burden for local farmers, making it harder for them to engage in iodized salt production.

What is the role of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regarding salt production?

According to Nazario Breguera, Chief Information Officer of the BFAR, the agency lacks comprehensive data on salt production in the country, except for information provided by the private sector. This limits their understanding of salt production trends over the years.

What is the potential risk of removing salt iodization in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health (DOH)?

The Department of Health warns that removing salt iodization could lead to an increase in iodine deficiency, which could cause health issues like goiter. The DOH emphasizes that iodization has been successful in addressing iodine deficiency among the population.

What is the current state of iodized salt consumption in the Philippines?

Salt iodization in the Philippines has helped address iodine deficiency across different age groups, making iodized salt a significant factor in improving public health.

What impact does the iodization of salt have on the Filipino population?

Iodized salt has played a crucial role in reducing iodine deficiency, which is important for the prevention of goiter and other iodine deficiency-related health issues. It benefits the overall health of the Filipino population.

What needs to be done before any changes to the Asin Law are implemented?

Before any changes can be made to the Asin Law, it must undergo more legislative processes, including review and consideration by various stakeholders, especially those involved with the farming sector.

Why is there a lack of comprehensive data on salt production in the Philippines?

There is a lack of comprehensive data on salt production because the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources does not have detailed records on national salt production, relying mainly on private sector data.

How does the government view the potential changes to the Asin Law?

The government, particularly the Department of Health, is cautious about potential changes to the Asin Law due to the possible negative impact on public health, particularly the rise in iodine deficiency if iodization is removed.