Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._ 0105

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our pets have always deserved a special place in our homes. The
unconditional love we get from our pets is something we consider valuable as we
treat them as an integral part of the family. But we often overlook that the pet
food we purchase is composed of many extra ingredients, or additives, as well as
the basic nutritional components needed to sustain them. These additives
perform many functions ranging from preserving the freshness and nutritional
value of the food to improving its taste. appearance and smell. Once our pets
develop allergies, skin problems, gastrointestinal problems or chronic flea
infestations, it will be as devastating to us and detrimental to them Experts
believe that these can be associated with food additives or with nutritional
deficiencies.

Propylene glycol, which is normalty used as a de-icing fluid for airplanes,
is mixed into pet foods to maintain its moisture and texture but it is also added to
Prevent bacterial growth. But at the same time, it also inhibits the growth of
friendly bacteria within the intestines. This additive decreases the amount of
moisture in the digestive tract leading to constipation and cancer.

Ethoxyquin, originally designed as a rubber stabilizer and herbicide, was
considered poisonous before its approval. it was to be used as a grain
preservative in animal feeds for animals with life expectancies of not more than


two years before they are slaughtered. tt has been reported to cause liver
cancer in dogs and malformations or even death in newborn puppies.

BHT and BHA have been very poorty tested. {tis reported to cause liver
damage, metabolic stress, fetal abnormalities and serum cholesterol increases.
Itis 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
hitrosamines which are very carcinogenic. They are added to retain the red color
to make the meat look fresh.

Heavy metal toxicity is another concern, Being high on the food chain,
meat has been proven to be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead and
Mercury. Spot checks on cat food have revealed lead levels ranging from .9 ppm
to 7.0 ppm while dog food anywhere from 1.0 ppm to 5.6 ppm. Normal levels
should never be over 5 ppm. For example, Thimerosal is a mercury containing
preservative used in vaccines. Mercury is a known neurotoxin. There is a vast
amount of research/discussions globally at this point in time relating to mercury in
dental amaigams, vaccinations and the environment in general. Many
fesearchers are linking mercury to the tremendous increase in autism in children.

With ali these concems surrounding additives in pet food, this proposal is
timely. This bill seeks to inform the public about such additives in order to make
informed choices on what pet food to give their pets and the possible hazards
that they may cause.

tn view of this bill's importance, its early passage into law is hereby
requested.

DIOSDADO AL ARROYO GLORIA APAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur SecondDistrict, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5105

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

—\_).

AN ACT
INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 of 2011."

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

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

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 activities 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;


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 anima! feed; (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 remained of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,