t 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2828 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
~'k'IlXlh' 
(/,llf.;" Il! th. ';i',mt.,~ 
'15 
JUN -8 P 4 :38 
REQUIRING THE POSTING OF SIGNS NEAR PRE-PACKAGED SALADS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
people and instill healfu-consciousness among them. 
There has been a recent shift in eating habits from eating meat to eating 
vegetables. There are now entrepreneurs that introduced pre-mixed salads in the market. 
However, some makers of pre-mixed salads actually label their bags with instructions not 
to wash the contents prior to consumption. According to tests, however, the produce was 
found to have higher than usual amounts of bacteria. After washing the produce, these 
, 
same tests showed reduced levels of bacteria. 
There would be far fewer cases of food-borne illness if everyone followed certain 
guidelines for handling food safely. Unfortunately, many consumers have no access to 
this infonnation. Providing consumers with information and access to experts for proper 
and safe handling and preparation of produce, as well as all food products, would greatly 
reduce the number of incidents of food poisoning, which would ultimately save lives. 
This bill aims to require the posting of signages near pre-packed salads urging 
people to wash them before eating them. 1 
~ 
&.v. 
.O.~ 
MIRIAM DEF~So'R s1\N'rljirGO 
*' 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SEN1\TE 
S.No. 
~828 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
"15 
JUN -8 P 4 :38 
REQUIRING THE POSTING OF SIGNS NEAR PRE-PACKAGED SALADS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House 0/ Representatives o/the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Safe Packaged Salads 
2 
Act." 
3 
SECTION 2. Declaration 0/ Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the 
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right to health of people and instill health consciousness among them. In line with this, 
5 
the state is requiring that signs be posted near pre-packaged salads urging people to wash 
6 
them before eating them. 
7 
SECTION 3. Definition a/Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
8 
mean: 
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(a) "Pre-packaged" means a package which is (i) neither a hermetically-sealed can 
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nor stored at or below a temperature of zero degrees celsius in accordance with the 
11 
instructions of a manufacturer or processor, and (ii) which is packaged other than at the 
12 
premises of the retail food store; and 
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(b) "Retail food store" means any store selling food at retail, which store is not 
14 
primarily engaged in the sale of food for consumption on the premises; and 
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( c) "Salad" means a product consisting mainly of leafY raw vegetables such as 
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lettuce and spinach. 
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., 


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SECTION 4. Sign Requirement. -
2 
(a) Any retail food store which offers for sale any pre-packaged salads shall 
3 
conspicuously post a sign situated so as to be clearly visible to any consumer inspecting 
4 
such pre-packaged salads. Such sign shall read: "NOTICE: ALTHOUGH A PACKAGE 
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FOR BAGGED SALADS MAY READ THAT WASHING IS NOT NECESSARY, IT 
6 
IS ADVISABLE THAT THIS PRODUCE, ALONG WITH ALL OTHER PRODUCE, 
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BE WASHED THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION." 
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(b) In addition, such sign shall state the current mailing address and telephone 
9 
number established by the Food and Drug Administration for receiving questions from 
10 
consumers regarding the proper methods of washing andlor safely preparing pre-
II 
packaged salads or any other food product. 
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SECTION 5. Font Size. - Such sign required pursuant to this Act shall be printed 
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with lettering that is legible and shall be at least three-quarters of an inch boldface type. 
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SECTION 6. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act will 
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be punished by a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of one (1) year 
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imprisonment and a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (~5,OOO). 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health 
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and the Food and Drug Administration shall prescribe the necessary rules and regulations 
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to implement this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
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provisions hereof. 
2 


1 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
2 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
3 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
4 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
6 
circulation. 
Approved, 
Ifldp5June2015 
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