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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) DATE:
OF THE PHILIPPINES ) taf
First Regular Session ) : ani
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. No. ESRB RES'STR Veh UNIT

————_ | BILLS AND REE ¥ SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr,

AN ACT
INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD,

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 of the 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 deficiencit

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 of

moisture 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
BHT and 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 mercury 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 .Sppm. 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."

Lays

HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, Third Regular Session, and subsequently
refited by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago during the Sixteenth Congress, Third Regular Session


S OF THE REPUBLIC. )
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HB.No. 8144

Introduced by Representative Harry L, Roque Jr.

AN ACT
INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD,

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

SECTION 1. Short Title This Act shall be known as the "Pet Food Additive

Information Act."

SECTION 2. Requirements for labeling of pet food products.~ The following information
shall be included in the packaging of pet food products

(A) Ingredients and all additives included in the pet food; and

(B) A warning if the additive is a proven carcinogen or is proven to cause detrimental

side effects based on standards to be set by the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

SECTION 3. Duty of the Bureau of Food and Drugs. — The BFAD shall provide an

appropriate and cost-effective method of verification of the accuracy of the information

contained in pet food packaging, It shall also create a database of toxic and harmful additives in
pet food according to the following standards:
(A) For general recognition, there must be an expert consensus that the substance is safe

for use as a component of food; and


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(B) This expert consensus of safety must be based on either (a) generally available data
and information to show common use of the substance in animal feed; or(b)scientific procedures,
which require the same quantity and quality of scientific data needed for BFAD approval of the
substance as a food additive.

In addition, this information must be published in the scientific literature.

SECTION 4, Separability Clause.-If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions

hereof,

SECTION 5, Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, and issuans

or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or

modified accordingly.

SE

ION 6. Effectivity Clause.-This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,