'Magic sugar' making way back to NCR markets

"Magic sugar," an artificial sweetener banned in the Philippines for 13 years until recently, has started making its way back to markets in the National Capital Region. The commodity was seen in some of the markets in Manila, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported early Thursday. Many traders selling "pampalamig" (cold refreshments) buy it as an ingredient for their drinks, the report added. Earlier this week, Philippine health authorities lifted a ban on magic sugar, also known as sodium cyclamate. But the Food and Drug Administration also said traders and distributors must secure authorization before using the substance. FDA head Kenneth Hartigan-Go said FDA Advisory No. 2013-009, which allows the use of the substance, revokes FDA Advisory 2000-05 issued in 2000, which prohibited the sale of the magic sugar. Go added all food processors should "adhere to the CODEX standard and to declare the use of artificial sweeteners and to print the proper use." "All FDA food inspectors are ordered to monitor if all magic sugars sold in outlets and used by food processors are authorized by the FDA," he added. Meanwhile, the dzBB report said prices of pork remained stable as of Thursday at P175 per kilo. Last April 9, the Department of Trade and Industry reassured the public the supply of pork remains stable, amid recent increases in prices of the commodity. DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya gave the reassurance after a meeting with hog raisers, but added they are trying to keep prices from going beyond P180 per kilo. — LBG, GMA News