Republic Act No. 8172

Date:    July 24, 1995

Source:    Republic of the Philippines, Congress and Senate

Subject:    An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote the health of the people, to maintain an effective food regulatory system, and to provide the entire population especially women and children with proper nutrition. For this purpose, the State shall promote the nutritional fortification of food to combat micronutrient malnutrition as a priority health program for the nation.

Section 3.  Contribute to the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition in the country, particularly iodine deficiency disorders, through the cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization.

Section 5.  Applicability. a) This Act shall apply to the entire salt industry, including salt producers/manufacturers, importers, traders, and distributors, as well as government and non-government agencies involved in salt iodization activities. b) All food outlets, restaurants, and stores are hereby required to make available to customers only iodized salt in their establishment upon affectivity of this Act. These establishments shall be monitored with the help of LGUs through its health officers and nutritionists/dieticians, or in their absence, the sanitary inspectors to check and monitor the quality of food-grade salt being sold or served in such establishments.

For a period of three (3) years from the affectivity of this Act, the DOH shall provide free iodized salt to indigents residing in sixth class municipalities as may be allowed by their annual appropriations.