FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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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. 
The word carcinogen refers to any substance or radiation that is directly 
involved in the existence of cancer or in the increase of its spread. This can be caused by 
its capability to destroy the genome or disturb cellular metabolic processes. Some 
radioactive substances are known carcinogens, but their ability to promote or cause 
cancer is attributed to the radiation. Conmon types of carcinogens are inhaled asbestos, 
some kinds of dioxins and smoke from tobacco. 
Cancer is a disease where the damaged cells in the body of a patient do not 
undergo programmed cell death, but their growth is no longer controlled and their 
metabolism is changed. Carcinogens can increase the risk of getting cancer by changing 
cellular metabolism or destroying the DNA directly in the cells, which goes into 
biological processes, and induces the uncontrolled and malignant division which leads to 
the formation of tumors. 
Preparing food at high temperatures, such as by grilling or barbecuing meats, 
can lead to the creation of small quantities of many powerful carcinogens that can be 
compared to those coming from cigarette smoke. Charring of food looks like coking and 
tobacco pyrolysis, and creates similar carcinogens. Reports from the Food Standards 


Agency have found that the known animal carcinogen acrylarnide is created in 
overheated or fried carbohydrate food. Studies by the Food and Dmg Administration and 
European regulatory agencies are underway to check its potential risk to humans. The 
charred residue found on barbecued meat food products has been found to be a 
carcinogen. 
This bill seeks to inform consumers of the potential risk posed by the 
carcinogens found in some food products. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
(---*a 
< 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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RE(>’ \iF:-S ~;-.‘ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Siktiago 
AN ACT 
WGULATING FOOD PRODUCTS 
CONTAINING CARCINOGENS 
Be it enacted by the Senate an.d the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Carcinogen Regulatory Act 
of 2009.” 
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SECTION 2. Dejnition of terms. -As used in this Act, the term- 
(A) “Carcinogen” refers to any substance or radiation that is directly involved in the 
existence of cancer or in the increase of its spread; 
(B) “Department” means the Department of Health, 
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SECTION 3. Packaging Requirement. - Any person who offers for sale food products 
that contain known carcinogens as identified by the Department shall include a clear, 
conspicuous, and easily readable label on the packaging stating: 
WARNING: This food product contains a carcinogen known to cause 
cancer, birth defects and other reproductive hazards. 
SECTION 4. 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 
remains in violation. 
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valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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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