SIAP, DTI set to discuss issue on carrageenan ban

CEBU, Philippines - Leaders from the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP) are set to meet with the officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to discuss on the possible resolutions on the pending issue with National Organics Standards Board (NOSB) of United States.

In an interview yesterday, SIAP chairman Maximo Ricohermoso said that the meeting is scheduled on the first week of May this year, which is deemed as a good gesture from the Philippine government on its serious stance to help the seaweed industry in the Philippines.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Resources (BFAR) will also be attending the meeting, he said.

Hopefully, he said DTI will be able to convince the United States government to finally lift the ban on disallowing carrageenan to be used as an additive in organic food.

In a 10-3 vote on November 17, 2016, the NOSB of the US has voted to remove carrageenan from the list of "approved for use in organic food". However, the final and binding vote will be taken by USDA panelists who generally follow NOSB recommendations.

Despite the possible adverse effects seen in this ruling, Ricohermoso said the industry is "crossing fingers" for a decision turn around once the industry appeal will be heard by the US Department.

This development, which stands to affect over 300,000 seaweed farmers in the Philippines has gotten the government's attention and hopefully, DTI's persistent intervention on this matter will be able to reverse the decision of the US authorities.

Industry players believe that while the volume of carrageenan in organic food is relatively small, but the NOSB ruling will further drive misperceptions about carrageenan.

NOSB is a body that advises the US Department of Agriculture.

Already, DTI submitted a written comment to NOSB through the Philippine Embassy in Washington shortly after the decision was released describing and mentioning number of factual and scientific studies proving the safety of carrageenan for human consumption, and highlighting its economic importance to both Philippines and the United States, particularly for the livelihood of over 300 thousand Filipino seaweed farmers.

But, until now there is no positive development released by the US government on this issue yet. (FREEMAN)