DOH asked to intensify drive on low salt, fat and sugar foods

CEBU, Philippines – Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy is requesting the Department of Health, through a resolution, to intensify its campaign on foods containing low salt, fat and sugar.

He explained the campaign could make the public aware of what kind of foods to take everyday to avoid diseases associated with high intake of these food ingredients.

Just recently, Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda, has cautioned Sitoy not to legislate personal issues after the latter admitted that his personal experience prompted him to propose the controversial "chicharon Ordinance."

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier said requiring chicharon makers to put a warning on the packaging that eating it is dangerous alarmed chicharon makers who had been calling her to express their concerns.

"Most of the food that we take everyday are high in cholesterol, sugar and salt and a lot of diseases today are related to the kind of food that people take," Sitoy's resolution reads.

Too much or too little salt in the diet can lead to muscle cramps and dizziness which can cause neurological problems or death. Excessive salt consumption also results to stroke and cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

On the other hand, too much intake of foods that have high fat content can also result to weight gain and some health side effects may follow. Health consequences that are categorized as being the result of increased fat mass are osteoarthritis, social stigma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and thrombosis while, too much intake of sugar can cause diabetes.

But Sepulveda told reporters that personal issues should not be legislated and should not be a cause of legislation.

Sitoy however explained that his legislations could be used as warning for others who does not know the risks of too much of anything.

"Ako mismo nakasuway man gud, ganahan lang ko nga i-warn nako sila aron dili sila mapareha sa akong gidangatan," Sitoy said. (FREEMAN)