Law Group Lauds FDA’s Ban of Toxic Industrial Trans Fat in Processed and Pre-packaged Food

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Law group ImagineLaw commends the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for protecting consumers’ heart health amid the COVID-19 pandemic through the issuance of FDA Circular No. 2021-028 entitled “Guidelines for Prepackaged Processed Food Products Containing Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).”

The circular implements the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2021-0039 or the National Policy on the Elimination of Industrially Produced Trans Fatty Acids for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases issued on June 18, 2021. Under the policy, FDA prohibits the production, manufacture, trading, importation, and distribution of processed and pre-packaged food items with partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) and high TFA content.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a diet high in toxic trans fat is one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), a type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and known comorbidity that increases COVID-19 risk. Industrial TFA is unsafe as it builds bad cholesterol in the arteries and may lead to heart attacks.

“The Philippines recently breached the 3-million mark of COVID-19 cases. People with comorbidities like CVDs have a higher risk of severe illness and even death from the virus. Thus, it has become even more relevant to implement health measures that will strengthen Filipinos’ cardiovascular health and consequently, build their resilience against severe forms of COVID-19. Banning TFA from common packaged foods is a timely and effective public health intervention to achieve this goal,” Atty. Sophia San Luis, ImagineLaw’s Executive Director remarked.

To ensure strict compliance with the policy, the FDA requires food producers to submit a Certificate of Analysis from an FDA-accredited laboratory showing the TFA content of the product per 100 grams or 100 ml of total fat. The FDA requires food producers to remove TFA from their products by June 18, 2023.



Trans fat in other food sources

ImagineLaw advances a holistic approach to trans fat elimination by advocating for the enactment of the Trans Fat Free Philippines Bill which will remove TFA from all types of food sources.

“The issuance of the FDA regulations is a welcome development in ensuring the availability of safe food for all. However, legislative support is still needed to completely remove TFA from the nation’s food supply. The Bill currently pending in Congress must be enacted into law to ensure that all types of food, including those from food establishments and informal markets, are also safe and TFA-free,” San Luis added.

The Trans Fat Free Philippines Bills are currently pending with the House of Representatives Committees on Ways and Means and Appropriations and Senate Committees on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.


Read the full FDA Circular here: https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-circular-no-2021-028-guidelines-for-prepackaged-processed-food-products-containing-trans-fatty-acids-tfa

Why forward-thinking investors are making the wise choice with SMDC’s Ice Tower RES

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This newly-launched residential-office property at the Mall of Asia Complex quickly became a coveted asset.


Anyone who has had to work or run a business from home understands the importance of having flexible living spaces conducive to both work and life.

As part of its commitment to provide Filipinos with homes that are tailor-fit to their needs, SM Development Corporation (SMDC) introduced its first residential-office (RESO) development last year, where driven individuals can live, work, and succeed. SMDC’s Ice Tower RESO is located in the bustling Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, and offers spaces for success designed for modern entrepreneurs to start or expand their business from the comfort of their home.

A testament to the high demand for residential-offices, as well as to SMDC’s reputation as the country’s trailblazing real estate developer, is the remarkable sales performance of Ice Tower RESO. Since its launch six months ago, the development has already sold more than half of its inventory.

What makes this property one of the most sought-after developments in today’s real estate landscape? Let’s take a closer look.



Pursuing goals from home is here to stay

The trend of remote work and the rapid growth of online entrepreneurs is seen to outlast the pandemic, underscoring the rise of homes inspired by the new normal. SMDC’s Ice Tower RESO offers both the luxury and comfort of a premium condominium development, and the collaborative and prestigious environment an office provides.

From drafting inspired business plans to delivering ground-breaking client presentations, Fiber Optic internet technology and 100% backup power system ensures a smooth and uninterrupted workflow. No need to fret when things don’t go your way and stress levels shoot up, as there are amenities that will encourage you to live a balanced lifestyle. Perhaps go for a rejuvenating workout at the Fitness Hub, or have some fresh air either at the resort-styled Central Pool, or the Sky Lounge at the roof deck.

Ice Tower RESO also features facilities and amenities typically found in Grade-A office buildings, which truly sets the property apart. Behind the design of the property’s common interior spaces is Plus Architecture, an Australian-based firm that has worked on several cutting-edge projects, including those for WeWork. There’s a Business Hub with meeting rooms, a conference room and function hall designed for your every need. Meanwhile, an integrated Commercial Hub offers a variety of concessionaires that makes everything all the more convenient for you.

Business efficiency and opportunity, bustling at Mall of Asia Complex

Ice Tower RESO positions homeowners for success in the prime and strategic location of the MOA Complex. The area has evolved from a popular entertainment zone to a full-fledged global business hub. It also boasts convenient access to international airports, major thoroughfares like EDSA, SLEX and CAVITEX, and other key business districts in the metro like BGC and Makati.

Also within the MOA Complex is SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest malls in Southeast Asia. The buzzing district likewise has a wide range of hotels, convention centers, entertainment parks, residential condos, and office spaces that measure up against world-class standards.

According to Leechiu Property Consultants Inc., these factor significantly in the massive growth in value of real estate assets in the Bay City, surging by 947% from 2010 to 2020 at P450,000 per sqm.

Many investors have recognized this promising opportunity and have made the move with SMDC’s Ice Tower RESO. Take the leap now, and reap the sure rewards of your real estate investment.

To know more about SMDC’s Ice Tower RESO, visit https://smdc.com/properties/ice-tower/.

BSP recognizes Colliers as partner for real estate information

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Colliers has been one of the BSP’s sources of insights and data on the real estate sector for more than 15 years


Leading diversified professional services and investment management firm Colliers (NASDAQ and TSX: CIGI) receives certification from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as one of the monetary policy-maker’s partners for real estate information.

According to the BSP, Colliers has been for more than 15 years one of its sources of insights and data on the real estate sector, which serve as inputs to several of its key reports. These reports provide information and analysis to support the review and formulation of monetary policy by the Monetary Board and review policy strategies used by the BSP to operationalize the stance of monetary policy.

As recognition to its contribution, Colliers has been recognized as one of the BSP’s most outstanding partners for information in 2018 and 2019.

According to Richard Raymundo, Colliers Managing Director: “The recognition from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is a clear reflection of our excellent data-driven approach in the real estate service industry. We are grateful for the recognition and we look forward to further partnering with government institutions for accurate and reliable real estate data.”

Colliers Associate Director of Research, Joey Roi Bondoc, said: “We are pleased with this recognition from the BSP. Our goal is to become a major source of real estate information in the Philippines. We continue to provide timely and accurate information to our public and private sector partners. We commit to continue providing data-backed insights and recommendations thru our reports and briefings.”

Colliers regularly releases reports on the Philippine property market. Covering the office, residential, retail, industrial, and hotel sectors, these reports are published quarterly and are some of the most cited research by the local media, equity firms, and property developers.

In addition to these quarterly reports, Colliers also releases bespoke research covering up-and-coming markets and the latest issues affecting the sector. For instance, in October 2021, the company released reports on Iloilo’s office and residential sectors, while in May 2021 it released a report on future-proofing the office sector by adopting green and sustainable features.