The Government Wants To Tax Over The Limit Use Of Salt

When I heard the news about putting some taxes to junk foods that surpasses the recommended daily allowance like salt and preservatives I thought the lawmaker of the Philippines cannot just think of good bill that he should submit in the congress. But upon understanding the situation I was convinced the importance of the proposed house bill 3719 by Congressman Scott Davies Lanete.

The proposed bill aims to limit and decreased the usage of salt and preservatives in processed fod products that exceeds the third of daily intakes that include junk foods and canned goods that using salt as of their ingredients. In the proposed bill, a tax of P1 per milligram to be imposed exceeding the recommended limit.

According to health experts and health agencies, overusing of sodium may lead to stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure.

The government has long been campaigning to use the iodized salt which is fortified with iodine instead of using the common salt mostly made in the coastal area of the coastal. Though some of locally made salt is said to have the component of natural iodine but mostly are not. The health department promotes the use of iodized to avoid the intellectual and developmental development.

Still, the proposed of sin tax to the salted products aims the revenue to the government. This is included   to other tax program included in the tax reform program of the government which aims to help boost the revenue of the government. This tax programs include the taxing of the carbonated or sweet products and even taxing the cooperatives. The latter is strongly opposed by the cooperatives of the Philippines and last April 28 they conduct a campaign to oppose the measure.

But it cannot be denied that when made into law it will protect the Filipino from over salt intake. Just imagine the decrease of patients to dialysis because of lesser patients to kidney stone and gall bladder stone and other diseases which salt is the contributor.

The bill may not be good to our taste but perfect to our benefits.###