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| The regular Sangkap Pinoy Seal is awarded to voluntarily-fortified food product. |
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| The Diamond Sangkap Pinoy Seal is awarded to mandatory fortified staples. |
By Imelda
A. Agdeppa, Ph.D.
FNRI-DOST S & T Media
Service
Eating a variety of foods in adequate amounts provides the necessary
nutrients needed by the body to function normally. However, a balanced diet is
seldom attained since healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are mostly
not affordable, not always available and some need time to prepare.
Prevalence
of specific micronutrient deficiencies, as revealed by the 2008 National
Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), still poses possible health
implications. Anemia prevalence is at 19.5 percent, vitamin A deficiency (VAD)
is at 5.9 percent and deficiencies in other nutrients such as zinc and iodine
are also prevalent in specific age groups such as the pre-school and school-age
children, elderly, lactating and pregnant. Chronic specific micronutrient
deficiencies lead to a vast number and variety of disorders like blindness due
to VAD, mental retardation (because of iodine deficiency disorder, and poor
growth caused by anemia.
Effective
and long-term strategies to address micronutrient malnutrition being
implemented in country include supplementation, nutrition education and food
fortification. Republic Act 8976 or the Philippine Food Fortification Act of
2000 provides for the establishment of the Philippine Food Fortification
Programs and its implementing rules, regulation and guidelines.
Food
fortification is the addition of nutrients to processed foods or food products
at levels above the natural state. As an approach to control micronutrient
deficiency, food fortification is the addition of a micronutrient deficient in
the diet to a food which is widely consumed by specific at-risk groups.
The
Food Fortification Act targets addressing specific micronutrient deficiencies
by mandatory fortification of staple food items such as rice with iron, wheat
flour with vitamin A and iron, refined sugar with vitamin A and cooking oil
with vitamin A and voluntary fortification of other food items. Fortification
of staples, as a long-term solution to micronutrient deficiencies, is easier to
administer and promotes participation from a greater number of beneficiaries.
In
accordance with RA 8976, the Sangkap
Pinoy Seal Program awards recognition to fortified food products. The seal
is seen in food packages and serves as a guide for consumers to make a
healthier choice. The Diamond Sangkap
Pinoy Seal is awarded for staples while the Sangkap Pinoy Seal is awarded to voluntarily-fortified food
products.
Among
households interviewed in the 2008 NNS, 77.5 percent purchased food products
with Sangkap Pinoy Seal. A study by
Angeles-Agdeppa in 2010 among school-age children showed alleviation of anemia
in approximately 50% of the population after drinking ready-to-drink fortified
juice for 120 days.
The
Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 is a giant leap towards alleviating
micronutrient deficiency in the country. Continuous promotion, advocacy and
consumption of fortified food products may be a small step but a good start in
eradicating micronutrient malnutrition in the country.
For more information on food
and nutrition, contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition
Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos
Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. Email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph.
Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call 837-2071 local 2296 or visit our
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
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