Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 83°?

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is
added to foods. Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names,
NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. Aspartame is made up of
three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol.

A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as
being caused by aspartame includes: headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures,
nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue,
irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart
palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste,
tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of
aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by
ingesting of aspartame: brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue
syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth
defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

This proposed measure seeks to ban and prohibit the use of “aspartame”
on food, beverages and drugs and the sale and distribution of artificial
sweeteners or sugar substitutes such as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Equal-
Measure and other brand names with similar contents.

In view of addressing the hazard brought by these artificial sweeteners to
our people's health, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

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AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO
2" District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF “ASPARTAME” ON FOOD, BEVERAGES AND
DRUGS AND THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in the Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “ Aspartame Ban
Act”

SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to
establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and
undertake appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive
to the country's health needs and problems.

SECTION 3. Prohibition on the use of “Aspartame”. ~ It is hereby declared
prohibited to use “aspartame” on food, beverages and drugs such as, but not
limited to, instant breakfasts, cereals, frozen dessert, gelatin dessert, yogurt,
juice beverages, milk drinks, shake mixes, cocoa mixes, coffee beverage, soft
drinks, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees, tabletop sweeteners, topping
mixes, wine coolers, breath mints, sugar-free chewing gum, multivitamins and
pharmaceuticals and supplements

SECTION 4. Ban on the Sale and Distribution of Artificial Sweeteners or
Sugar Substitute. - The sale and distribution of artificial sweeteners or sugar
substitutes such as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Equal-Measure and other
brand names with similar content, is hereby declared prohibited.

SECTION 5. Regulatory Power. - The Food and Drugs Administration
(FDA) is hereby mandated to monitor the use of aspartame on selected food,
beverages and drugs and to implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 6. Penalties. - The penalty of reciusion temporal to reclusion
perpetua and a fine ranging from five hundred thousand pesos to five million
pesos shall be imposed upon any individual or officers of a manufacturing or
distributing corporation or company who shall violate any of the provisions of this
Act.


SECTION 7. All acts, decrees, orders, executive orders, instructions, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. The publication shall not
be later than seven (7) days after approval hereof,

Approved,