Senate Bill No. 8-9, HD3, PD1 was earlier sent to President Toribiong for his signature but was referred back to the Olbiil Era Kelulau for modification.
Both the House and Senate adopted the requested changes made by President Toribiong when he returned the bill to the lawmakers.
The changes recommended were that the bill’s language be changed from require to authorize , the director of the Bureau of Public Health to ban the importation and the sale of any canned, bottled foods or drugs that have been identified as dangerous.
The other change recommended is that the bill be changed to allow food and medicine which is not labeled in either Palauan or English to be sold as long as translation of the label into English or Palauan is affixed to the item or posted next to where the item is displayed.
The aim of the measure is to give the government the authority to respond to the problems of poisonous substances such as melamine, found in certain food and drugs throughout the world.
The measure also said that all food and medicine offered for public sale will be subject to inspection by the representatives of the Bureau of Health Services.
If the goods have been identified to be dangerous for human consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization or other internationally recognized organizations addressing food and drug safety.
The House of Delegates approved on third and final reading the measure on its regular session Tuesday.
