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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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FFCE, 41) i: 
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:;6CRE:T&W 
Second Regular Session 
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S. B. sENA%d 
No. 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Allergy is a disorder of the immune system that is usually called atopy. These 
allergic reactions happen because of usually harmless environmental substances known 
as allergens. These reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Allergy is just one of 
four kinds of hypersensitivity. This condition is characterized by excessive activation of 
excessive white blood cells resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. These can 
play a role in conditions like asthma. In some cases, severe allergies to dietary or 
environmental allergens or to medications can result to life threatening reactions and even 
death. Officially, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States does recognize 8 
food items as being common for ,allergic reactions in a large segment of the sensitive 
population. This includes, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, fish, wheat and their 
derivatives, soy and their derivatives, and sulphites (chemical based, often found in 
flavors and colors in foods) at 1Oppm and over. 
This bill seeks to inform consumers of the potential risk posed by the allergens 
found in consumer products. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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9 .jUN BO P2 :41 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING ALLERGENS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Allergen Regulatory Act of 
2009.” 
SECTION 2. Definition of terms. -As used in this Act, the tern- 
(A) “Allergen” refers to a nonparasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type I 
hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals; 
(B) “Department” means the Department of Health; 
SECTION 3. Packaging Requirement. - Any person who offers for sale any consumer 
product that contains a known allergen as identified by the Department shall include a clear, 
conspicuous, and easily readable label on the packaging stating: 
WARNING: This product contains an identified allergen known to cause 
allergic reaction to some individuals. 
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SECTION 4. Duty of the Department of Health. - The Department is required to come up 
with a list of all known and proven allergens and to inform the public of their presence in 
products or the environment, It shall coordinate with the proper government agencies to identify 
the presence of these allergens in products and industries. 
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remains in violation. 
SECTION 5. Penalties. -The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
or fines against any person for violations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In no 
circumstance will any penalties or fines exceed P10,OOO.OO for each day the permit holder 
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valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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Approved, 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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