THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
I 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is a common practice of most food manufacturers and establishments to 
u$e staple wires in packaging food items of consumers. 
Convenient, fast and practical as it may appear, the use of staple wires for 
packing food IS definitely a health hazard. It runs the risk of getting mixed and 
consumed with the food without getting noticed or in some cases, the staple 
w'ires became rusty as a result of exposure to the elements. 
food items that can be used as safer alternatives to staple wires. 
In this modern age, there are several other available means in packaging 
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This measure prohibits the use of staple wires in all forms of food 
packages in order to spare every consumer from getting victimized by the stated 
sbenario 
I 
This simple piece of legislation can be considered worthwhile and 
deaningful even if it can only save the life of a single Filipino. 
! 


TI-IIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE USE OF STAPLE WIRES OR ANY OTHER SIMIMR FORM 
OF METAL OBJECTS AS MEDIUM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING FOOD 
ITEMS INSIDE ITS PACKAGING PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Staple Wires on 
Food Items Prohibition Act of 2006” 
Sec 2 Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following 
tdrms shall mean: 
a,) staple wires - shall refer to U-shaped wires or other similar forms of metal 
01 
hard plastic objects which are used for driving through layers of 
penetrable packaging material in order to hold, seal, close or secure any 
opening through clinching together of separate layers of a packaging ; 
b.) packaging - shall refer to bags, containers and wrappers, regardless of 
sizes, shapes and materials used; employed by food sellers to place food 
items being sold; 
c.) food items - all kinds of foods classified as manufactured, processed, 
non-processed, cooked and raw meat intended for human consumption; 
Sec. 3. Coverage. -All food sellers comprising of hotels, restaurants, food 
chains, food manufacturers, canteens, markets, stores, vendors and other similar 


establishments engaged in the activity of selling or producing food items, whether 
or not a registered business entity under the existing laws, shall be covered by 
this Act 
Sec. 4. Prohibited Act. - Any provision of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding, it shall be unlawful for food sellers to use staple wires as 
medium for closing, sealing or holding together packaging of food items 
m'anufactured, produced and sold in the market, including those used 
as outer 
pkkaging of food items already contained in a primary packaging. 
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Sec. 5. Penalties. - Any food sellers violating this act, upon conviction, be 
phished by a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) but not 
m'ore than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00), or an imprisonment of not more 
than six (6) months, or both at the discretion of the court. Provided however, if 
th'e violation is made by a corporation, association, or partnership, the penalty 
provided herein shall be imposed upon the directors, president, or managing 
partners 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, or administrative 
rules and regulations or any part thereof which may be inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its 
pbblication in two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,