R.A. 1929 prohibits the sale of acetic acid in any form in groceries and retail stores selling foodstuff and violation of this prohibition shall subject the offender to the applicable penalties provided therein.

R.A. 3720, otherwise known as the "Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act", authorizes the Food & Drug Administration (now Bureau of Food & Drugs, pursuant to Executive Order No. 851) to promulgate regulations fixing and establishing for any food, under its common or usual name so far as practicable, a reasonable definition and standard of identity and quality. The said law also prohibits the sale and manufacture of adulterated and misbranded food and food products, with corresponding penalties for their violations.

Pursuant to R.A. 3720, Administrative Order No. 134 s. 1970 was passed by the Ministry of Health prescribing standards of identity for vinegar. Vinegar, under said regulations, is defined as the liquid produced by alcoholic and/or acetous fermentation of one or more of the following: malt, spirit, wine, cider, alcoholic liquors, fruits, grain, vegetables, honey glucose, sugar (including unrefined crystal sugar and refinery syrup) or molasses.

In view of all the foregoing, it is hereby ordered that glacial acetic acid should not be offered for sale, sold or distributed as VINEGAR or for VINEGAR MANUFACTURE, by importers, distributors, sellers, purchasers and others concerned. All concerned are hereby WARNED accordingly.

Violation of this Circular shall constrain the Bureau of Food & Drugs to impose such regulatory sanctions as it may deem necessary, in order to protect the interest of the consumer.

Adopted: 27 Sept. 1985

(Sgd.) CATALINA C. SANCHEZ
Director

Re-issued: 7 October 1991

(Sgd.) QUINTIN L. KINTANAR, M.D., PH.D.
Director
Assistant Secretary for Standards and Regulation