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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL 18 p.1 :09 
_________ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 12, provides that: 
The State shaH establish and maintain an effective food and drug 
regulatory system and undertake appropriate health, manpower development and 
research, responsive to the cOlmtry's health needs and problems. 
Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to food. It 
is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. It accounts for over 
75 percent (75%) of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA). Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death, as 
disclosed in a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report. 
A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by 
aspartame are headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, 
weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, 
bearing 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 trigged or worsened by ingesting aspartame: brain tumor, 
multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, mental 
retardation, lymphoma, birth defects fibromyalgia, and diabetes. 
1 


This proposed measure seeks to ban and prohibit the use of "aspartame" on food, 
beverages, and drugs.] 
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tJIh .MIRIAM DEF~~SOR SANTI/GO 
1 This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
2 


i 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
934 
S. No. _~-""--"'---
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
I 
AN ACT 
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'13 
JUL 18 P 4 :09 
2 
PROHIBITING THE USE OF ASPARTAME ON FOOD, BEVERAGES AND DRUGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Aspartame Ban Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to establish and 
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maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and undertake appropriate health 
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manpower development and research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems. 
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SECTION 3. Prohibition on the Use of Aspartame. - It is prohibited to use aspartame on 
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food, beverages, and drugs such as, but not limited to, instant breakfast, cereals, frozen desert, 
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gelatin dessert, yogurt, juice beverages, milk drinks, shake mixes, cocoa mixes, coffee beverage, 
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soft drinks, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees, tabletop sweeteners, topping mixes, wine 
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coolers, breath mints, sugar-free chewing gum, multivitamins, and pharmaceutical supplements. 
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SECTION 4. Regulatory Power. - The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) is hereby 
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mandated to monitor the use of aspartame on selected food, beverages, and drugs and to 
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implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - The penalty a fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
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(PlOO,OOO.OO) to Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon any 
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individual or officers of a manufacturing or distributing corporation, partnership, organization, or 
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any other entity who shall violate this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. EffectiVity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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