The National Nutrition Council XII facilitated the conduct of the 2nd Regional Bantay Asin Task Force meeting held at Casa Rafael, General Santos City last October 23, 2019. The meeting was attended by seven (7) agencies as follows: Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Sanitary Inspectors of General Santos City.
In support to the implementation of the Food Fortification Law, the task force concurred to formulate new MOA between the FDA, NNC, DOST and LGU-Gensan which will be discussed on the next meeting. Secretariat were tasked to remind Dr. Rochelle Oco, the City Health Officer and the CNAO to convene the Local Bantay Asin Task Force of General Santos City before the formulation of the new MOA.
Further, the 2019 salt monitoring results show that the four (4) divisions (Sarangani, South Cotabato, Tacurong City and Koronadal City) who submitted salt samples, didn’t reach the recommended iodine level/content in parts per million (ppm).
RBATF XII plans to intensify the advocacy by reinforcing or reorienting canteen personnel and Barangay Health/Nutrition Workers and by formulating IEC materials such as brochures and pamphlets which will educate the public on proper handling and storage, so as the importance on the use of salt with Saktong Iodine sa Asin (SISA) Seal.
NPC Latonio emphasized that the iodine content depreciates due to improper storage and handling.
Following the meeting, the task force proceeded to the salt monitoring activity of the three (3) salt manufacturers/distributors namely: Arvin International Marketing, Artemis Inc. and Salinas Foods Inc.
On the otherhand, it was recommended during onsite visit to establish a warehouse as prescribed in the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) to ensure integrity of the salt and its manufacturing process in compliance to food safety regulations.
Salt manufacturers/distributors should also conduct salt testing as part of their quality control along with proper storage/handling of the pre-packed salt products.
The National Nutrition Council through the RBATF will continue to advocate on the use of salt with SISA seal.(RALaurito/AMFlores/NPC)
