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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
9 
FEE 18 PZ :32 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Borax, also called “Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrafe” is an important boron 
compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of 
soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water. Borax has a wide variety of uses. It 
is a component of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes. It is also used to 
make buffer solutions in biochemistry, as a fire retardant, as an anti-fungal compound 
for fibreglass, as an insecticide, as a flux in metallurgy, and as a precursor for other 
boron compounds. 
The term borax is used for a number of closely related minerals or chemical 
compounds that differ in their crystal water content, but usually refers to the 
decahydrate. The origin of the name is traceable to the Medieval Latin borax, which 
comes from the Arabic buraq, which comes from either the Persian burah or the Middle 
Persian burak. Borax (sodium tetraborate) became an important chemical compound 
used as a flux for soldering - that is, for cleaning the surfaces of metal pieces to be 
joined by being melted together. Borax has many chemical properties that contribute to 
its cleaning power. Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water 
molecules to hydrogen peroxide (H202). This reaction is more favorable in hotter water. 
The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces a basic solution in water, thereby 
increasing the effectiveness of bleach and other cleaners. In other chemical reactions, 
borax acts as a buffer, maintaining a stable pH needed to maintain cleansing chemical 
reactions. The boron, salt, and/or oxygen of boron inhibit the metabolic processes of 
many organisms. This characteristic allows borax to disinfect and kill unwanted pests. 
Borates bonds with other particles to keep ingredients dispersed evenly in a mixture, 
which maximizes the surface area of active particles to enhance cleaning power. 
Among the most common uses of borax include: component of detergents; 
component of cosmetics; ingredient in enamel glazes; component of glass, pottery, and 
ceramics; fire retardant; anti-fungal compound for fiberglass and cellulose insulation; 
insecticide to kill ants and fleas; precursor for sodium perborate monohydrate that is 
used in detergents, as well as for boric acid and other borates; treatment for thrush in 
horses’ hooves; used to make indelible ink for dip pens by dissolving shellac into heated 
borax. 
However, with the rising consumer awareness and sensitivity in the preparation 
of food products, the general public is now becoming more and more conscious with 
respect to the chemical component being used in the preparation of food products and 
foodstuff purchased in the market. 


While there at& a lyt of commercial uses for the chemical component of borax, 
studies indicate that the use of boraxJn food products should be strictly regulated. While 
borax is used as a food additive iA dome countries, the use of borax in food products IS 
now being banned in the United States. Boric acid, sodium borate, and sodium 
perborate are estimated to have a lethal dose (LDS0) from 0.1 to 0.5 glkg in humans. 
These substances are toxic to all cells, and have a slow excretion rate through the 
kidneys. Kidney toxicity is the greatest, with liver fatty degeneration, cerebral edema, 
and gastroenteritis. Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are 
known to be especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its slow 
elimination rate. 
Republic Act No. 7394 or the "Consumer Act of the Philippines" provides for the 
minimum labeling requirements for consumer products and additional labeling 
requirements for food. Moreover, Article 11, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution 
provides that 'State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health consciousness among them." 
In accordance with this constitutional mandate, this bill proposes the mandatory 
labeling of food products indicating distinctly in their packages the Sodium Tetraborate 
Decahydrate (Borax) contents in food products in order to protect the health and well 
being of the general public. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested 
M 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
9 
FEB 16 P2:32 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING THE MANDATORY LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR 
FOOD 
PRODUCTS 
AND 
FOODSTUFF 
CONTAINING 
SODIUM 
TETRABORATE DECAHYDRATE (BORAX), PROVIDING PENALTfES FOR 
ITS VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Sodium 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Tetraborate Decahydrate (Borax) Labeling Act of 2009”: 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the 
interests of consumers and to establish quality standards in food products to protect the 
health and general welfare of the general public. As such, the State shall implement 
measures to achieve the protection against hazards to health and safety and provide 
programs on Information, Education and Communication Campaign (IEC) to educate 
the general public. 
Towards this end, the State shall enforce compulsory labeling of food products 
and foodstuff to enable consumers to obtain accurate information as to the nature, 
quality, and quantity of the contents of consumer products and to facilitate their 
comparison of the health value of such products. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
(a) 
Borax, also called “Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate” is ati #H&Wtaqt 
boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a w h h  +tW&r 
consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water. It is u&ti a@ $. 
component of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes as well @k3 a@# 


solutions in biochemistry, as a fire retardant, as an anti-fungal compound for fibreglass, 
as an insecticide, as a flux in metallurgy, and as a precursor for other boron 
compounds. The term borax is used for a number of closely related minerals or 
chemical compounds that differ in their crystal water content, but usually refers to the 
decahydrate. Commercially sold borax is usually partially dehydrated. 
(b) 
“Label” or “labeling” means the display of written, printed or graphic 
matter on any consumer product or its immediate container, tag, literature or other 
suitable material affixed thereto for the purpose of giving information as to identity, 
components, ingredients, attributes, directions for use, specifications and such other 
information as may be required by law or regulations. 
SEC. 4. 
Mandatory Labeling Requirements. - Within ninety (90) days 
from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) shall issue the 
necessary guidelines and requirements for the mandatory labeling requirement for all 
consumer products, food products and foodstuff that contain Sodium Tetraborate 
Decahydrafe (Borax). 
SEC. 5. 
Information, Education and Communication (lEC) Campaign. - 
The Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation with the Philippine Information 
Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive and nationwide 
information, education and communication campaign in order to inform the general 
public of the purpose and objectives envisioned under this Act. 
SEC. 6. 
Prohibited Acts on Labeling. - It shall be unlawful for any person, 
either as principal or agent, engaged in the labeling or packaging of any food consumer 
product, to display or distribute or to cause to be displayed or distributed in commerce, 
any food consumer product whose label does not conform to the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 7. 
Penalties. - Any person, natural or juridical, who shall violate the 
provisions of this Act shall be subject to a fine of not less than Fiftv Thousand Pesos 
(Php 50,000) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000) or 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than four (4) years or both, at 
the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 8. 
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 valid and subsisting. 


SEC. 9. 
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. 
SEC. I O .  
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,