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FOTJRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)  
Third Regular Session 
)  
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3458 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Sant~ago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The pet food one purchases is composed of many extra ingredients, or additives, 
as well as the basic nutritional components needed to sustain our pets. Additives perform 
many functions ranging from preserving the freshness and nutritional value ofthe food to 
improving its taste, appearance and smell. You will find it essential to investigate the 
formulation of your pet food if your ferret develops allergies, skin problems, 
gastrointestinal problems or chronic flea infestations. Some experts suspect that these can 
be associated with food additives or with nutritional deficiencies . 
. Propylene glycol is normally used as a de-icing fluid for airplanes. It is put into 
pet foods to maintain moisture and texture. It is added to prevent bacterial growth but 
also inhibits the growth of friendly bacteria within the intestines. Propylene glycol 
decreases the amount ofmoisture in the digestive tract leading to constipation and cancer. 
Ethoxyquin was originally designed as a rubber stabilizer and herbicide but before 
its approval, 
it was considered a poison. At. the outset, 
it was to be 
used as a grain preservative in feed for animals not expected to live for more than two 
years before they are slaughtered. It has been reported to cause liver cancer in dogs and 
malformations or even death in newborn puppies. BHTand BHA have been very poorly 
tested. It is reported to cause liver damage, metabolic stress, fetal abnormalities and 
serum cholesterol increases. It is added to preserve already rancid fats in the food. Fats in 
this form are very difficult to digest and can lead to a host of health problems including 


diarrhea, gas, bad breath and vomiting. Sodium Nitrate converts in the body to 
nitrosamines, which are very carcinogenic. They are added to retain the red colour to 
make the meat look fresh. 
Heavy metal toxicity is another problem. Since meat is high on the food chain, 
contamination with heavy metals such as lead and mercu,ry is very much a concern. Spot 
checks on cat food have revealed lead levels ranging from .9 ppm to 7.0 ppm and dog 
food anywhere from 1.0 to 5.6 ppm. It should never be over .5ppm. Thimerosal is a 
mercury containing preservative used in vaccines. Mercury is a known neurotoxin. There 
is a vast amount of research/discussions going on globally at this point in time relating to 
mercury in dental amalgams, vaccinations and the environment in general. Many 
researchers are linking mercury to the tremendous increase in autism in children. 
This bill seeks to inform the public about the additives in the pet food that they 
give their pets and the possible hazards that they may cause. 


7 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)  
Third Regular Session 
)  
SENATE 
S. B. No. 3456 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
TO INFORM THE PUBLIC 
3 
ABOUT ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pet Food Additive 
5 
Infonnation Act of2009." 
6 
SECTION 2. Requirements for labeling of pet food products. -
The following 
7 
information shall be included in the packaging of pet food products: 
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(A) Ingredients and all additives included in the p~t food; 
9 
(B) A warning if the additive is a proven carcinogen or is proven to cause 
10 
detrimental side effects based on standards to be set by the Bureau of Food 
11 
and Drugs. 
12 
SECTION 3. Duty of the Bureau of Food and'Drugs. - The BFAD shall provide an 
13 
appropriate and cost-effective method of verification of the accuracy of the infonnation 
14 
contained in pet food packaging. It shall also create a database of toxic and hannful additives in 
15 
pet food according to the following standards: 
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(A) For general recognition, there must be an expert consensus that the substance is safe for 
17 
use as a component of food, and; 


. " 
1 
(B) This expert consensus of safety must be based on either (a) generally available data and 
2 
information to show common use of the substance in animal feed; or (b) scientific 
3 
procedures, which require the same quantity an~ quality of scientific data needed for 
4 
BFAD approval of the substance as a food additive. In addition, this information must be 
5 
published in the scientific literature. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
7 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
8 
valid and sUbsisting. 
9 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
10 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
11 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
12 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
13 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2