Food Facts
Q: What does the "Sangkap Pinoy" seal signify?
A: The "Sangkap Pinoy" seal is awarded by BFAD (Bureau of Food and Drugs) to companies that have conformed to the guidelines on food fortification as mandated by R.A. 8976 and R.A. 8172.
Q: What is food fortification?
A: It is a process of enriching food products with essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, Iron and Iodine, this program aims to resolve deficiencies of such vitamins and minerals.
Q: What is a "fortificant"?
A: It refers to a chemical substance added to food to improve its nutrient value.
Q: What food products are fortified with vitamins and minerals?
A: Common foods that are fortified include flour, oil, sugar, salt, infant cereals, margarine, banana catsup, milk, tea, cheese biscuits, margarine, noodles, fruit juices and hotdogs.
Q: Is it safe to fortify foods with such nutrients?
A: Yes, micro nutrients such as Vitamin A, Iodine and Iron added to food products are approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Food and Agricultural Organization.
Q: Is it safe for a child to eat Vitamin A fortified hotdogs everyday?
A: Yes, the fortification level specified by RA 8976 ensures that micro nutrients are added within the recommended safe level. Moreover, studies have been conducted and results showed that fortified foods even consumed at large amounts would not reach the vitamin A toxicity threshold for humans.
Q: What is Nitrite?
A: Nitrites are salts of nitrous acid with chemical formula HNO 2.
Q: What is the effect of adding Sodium Nitrite in meats?
A: Sodium Nitrite acts as a preservative, it inhibits bacterial growth that causes spoilage; it gives meat a pleasing dark red color making it appear "fresh"; and it preserves the flavor of spices in cured meats.
Q: What is vacuum packaging?
A: It is a process of sealing food with the removal of air from the package.
Q: What are the advantages of vacuum-packed foods?
A: Since oxygen is removed from the food package, bacterial growth is not favored and thus quality of food is prolonged; the color of food is also preserved and the rancidity of fats is delayed.
Q: What is the maximum allowable concentration of nitrite in cured meats?
A: The permissible amount of the substance is 200ppm.
Q: What does the "Sangkap Pinoy" seal signify?
A: The "Sangkap Pinoy" seal is awarded by BFAD (Bureau of Food and Drugs) to companies that have conformed to the guidelines on food fortification as mandated by R.A. 8976 and R.A. 8172.
Q: What is food fortification?
A: It is a process of enriching food products with essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, Iron and Iodine, this program aims to resolve deficiencies of such vitamins and minerals.
Q: What is a "fortificant"?
A: It refers to a chemical substance added to food to improve its nutrient value.
Q: What food products are fortified with vitamins and minerals?
A: Common foods that are fortified include flour, oil, sugar, salt, infant cereals, margarine, banana catsup, milk, tea, cheese biscuits, margarine, noodles, fruit juices and hotdogs.
Q: Is it safe to fortify foods with such nutrients?
A: Yes, micro nutrients such as Vitamin A, Iodine and Iron added to food products are approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Food and Agricultural Organization.
Q: Is it safe for a child to eat Vitamin A fortified hotdogs everyday?
A: Yes, the fortification level specified by RA 8976 ensures that micro nutrients are added within the recommended safe level. Moreover, studies have been conducted and results showed that fortified foods even consumed at large amounts would not reach the vitamin A toxicity threshold for humans.
Q: What is Nitrite?
A: Nitrites are salts of nitrous acid with chemical formula HNO 2.
Q: What is the effect of adding Sodium Nitrite in meats?
A: Sodium Nitrite acts as a preservative, it inhibits bacterial growth that causes spoilage; it gives meat a pleasing dark red color making it appear "fresh"; and it preserves the flavor of spices in cured meats.
Q: What is vacuum packaging?
A: It is a process of sealing food with the removal of air from the package.
Q: What are the advantages of vacuum-packed foods?
A: Since oxygen is removed from the food package, bacterial growth is not favored and thus quality of food is prolonged; the color of food is also preserved and the rancidity of fats is delayed.
Q: What is the maximum allowable concentration of nitrite in cured meats?
A: The permissible amount of the substance is 200ppm.
