House seeks stricter laws on imported foods
By Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com, Newsbreak | 10/06/2008 2:43 PM
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Worried that the financial woes of the United States would force companies in China to dump their products to other markets like the Philippines , the House committee on agriculture is seeking to enforce stricter laws on importations to protect Filipino consumers from dangerous products.
The US is a major destination of China ’s export products. Financial experts predict that the US financial woes would lead to an economic slowdown resulting in lower imports for the US . ( Philippine exports to the US will also be affected.)
Where will China ’s products go now? The latest problem with China ’s milk products—contaminated by dangerous ingredient melamine—has caused mistrust for products coming from China .
The Bureau of Food and Drugs earlier announced that it found melamine in two milk brands from China —Greenfood Yili Fresh Milk and Mengniu Drink. It is still testing over 200 products for dangerous substances. It is expected to release a new batch of results this week.
Melamine contaminated milk made thousands of Chinese children ill.
Probe on toxic food imports
"This should prod the government to put up its 'anti-smuggling defenses' so the country—on account of its proximity to China —will not become an "inviting target" for dumping,” said Palawan Rep. Abraham Kahlil Mitra, chairman of the House committee on agriculture.
Health secretary Francisco Duque III made the same call last week to intensify government’s food regulatory functions. He also cautioned the public from consuming imports from China .
The House committee on agriculture will begin on Tuesday its series of hearings on the entry of toxic food imports into the country and on government's ability to ensure food safety. Health officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) will be invited.
"We will ask these experts, including consumer groups to pinpoint which aspects of the food production and supply chain on specific products are vulnerable to unsanitary processes," Mitra said.
The committee also intends to look into the economic costs of unsafe food in terms of health expenditures, man-days lost to sickness, and lost economic opportunities.
Pending bills
The hearings will also help the congressmen in deliberating four proposed bills that seek to enforce stricter laws on the entry of imported foods.
The following are the proposed measures:
House Bill 3799—seeks proper labeling of feed, meat and poultry products that contain genetically engineered material (filed by ARC party list Rep. Narciso Santiago III
House Bill 4108—seeks to regulate pesticide chemical residues in food by establishing tolerance standards for these. (filed by Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez)
House Bill 4109—seeks to establish a comprehensive program to ensure the safety of food products intended for human consumption. (filed by Rodriguez)
House Resolution 806—seeks an inquiry into trade and trade and health policies on food importation. (filed by Mitra).
