Department of Health Mulls Taxing Daing and Other Salted Food
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday expressed its interest in pushing for increasing taxes on salted food. In a statement released during a press briefing in Malacañang, Health undersecretary Eric Domingo said, “We’re studying increasing taxes on salted food. This may produce a positive outcome on our health.”
According to Domingo, too much salt in your diet can lead to a number of diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. He also admits that there are no guidelines yet on how to classify or categorize which salted foods should have higher taxes, but nevertheless says that it covers all salted foods.
Among the salted products that may face increased taxes if Domingo’s statement is enforced are daing, tuyo, and similar products. Daing is typically prepared by soaking fish in a mixture of salt and water before setting it out to dry in the sun.
“Basically, yes. Oo, it should be included—it will include all foods,” he said.
