Traffic Light Nutritional Labeling Scheme on Food Packaging Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 14 P2:52 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT MANDATING FOOD MANUFACTURERS TO DISPLAY COLOR- CODED NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON FOOD PACKAGING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines continues to grapple with a wide range of health challenges. This includes the phenomenon known as "double burden of malnutrition" or the simultaneous prevalence of undernutrition alongside rising rates of overweight and obesity. Over the past two decades, data shows that the proportion of overweight and obese individuals has steadily increased by an average of 0.73% per year. Consequently, a significant portion of the adult population suffers from chronic energy deficiency, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency. I Among children, the situation is equally concerning. Only 1 in 4 children meets the recommended energy intake while 1 in 3 Filipino children are stunted. Alarmingly, according to the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), 1 in 10 children who are aged 5 to 10 years and 10 to 19 years are already considered to be overweight. 3 Meanwhile, data from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) reveal that Filipino adults consume National Library of Medicine. The Double Burden of Malnutrition at the Individual Level Among Adults: A Published on Nationwide Survey in the Philippines. November 2021. Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8634133/ (Accessed on 8 July 2025). EDCOM 2. 1 in 3 Filipino children stunted due to severe underinvestment, inadequate access to high quality childcare services - PIDS-EDCOM2 study. Published on 20 May 2024. Available at https://edcom2.gov.ph/1-in- 3-filipino-children-stunted-due-to-severe-underinvestment-inadequate-access-to-high-quality-childcare- services-pids-edcom2-study/ (Accessed on 8 July 2025). UNICEF. Curbing childhood obesity in the Philippines: Time to junk the junk (food). Published on 3 November 2022. Available at https://www.unicef.org/philippines/stories/curbing-childhood-obesity-philippines-time-junk- junk-food#:~;text=Unfortunately%2C%20children%20in%20the%20Philippines, %2C%20cancer%2C%20and%20heart%20failure (Accessed on 8 July 2025).

significantly less fruits and vegetables than the recommended daily intake set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).4 These organizations recommend that combined fruit and vegetable intake should be at least 400 grams or five servings per day. The WHO further warns that inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables contributes to poor overall health and increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. " It was also estimated by the organization that in 2017 alone, approximately 3.9 million deaths worldwide were attributable to insufficient fruit and vegetable intake.? This measure seeks to empower consumers with accurate and accessible health information to promote and encourage the consumption of a nutritious diet and attain a healthy lifestyle. To achieve this, the bill mandates food manufacturers to provide color-coded nutrition labels for pre-packaged products sold in retail outlets. These labels will enable consumers to quickly distinguish whether a product contains high, medium, or low levels of fat, saturated fat, sugars, and salt. Instilling health consciousness among consumers and enabling them to make informed decisions about their eating habits will not only reduce health risks of Filipinos, but also enhance their productivity and improve their overall quality of life. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. OEL VILLANUEVA DOST Food and Nutrition Research Institute. Pinoy adults, older persons need to consume more fruits and veggies DOST-FVRI. Published Available https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/57a4e3d9e_shPb10178czs_s/a-qImt_3c (Accessed on 8 July 2025). Ibid. World Health Organization. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. Published on 9 August 2023. Available at https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/fruit- vegetables-ncds (Accessed on 8 July 2025).

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) JUL 14 P252 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT MANDATING FOOD MANUFACTURERS TO DISPLAY COLOR- CODED NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON FOOD PACKAGING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Traffic Light

Nutritional Labeling Scheme on Food Packaging Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby recognizes that a

healthy diet is a foundation of good health and a crucial element in improving 5 productivity and overall well-being of all Filipinos. Recognizing that the prevalence 6 of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is aggravated by poor nutrition, among 7 others, the State shall instill health consciousness among Filipinos towards a desirable food consumption pattern. The State shall also protect and promote the right of every consumer to make informed decisions that can affect their short- term and long-term health. Towards this end, the State recognizes that a color- coded scheme is effective in helping consumers quickly convey information on the nutritional content/s of the food products that they consume.

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following

terms shall be defined as follows: a) Food Product Package refers to the packet and package of food products that are for sale and distribution in the domestic market, importation, trade,

and exchange, such as, but not limited to, packs, tins, boxes, pouches, flip- tops, slide and shell packages, and cartons; b) Nutrition facts refer to a statement or information on food labels indicating the nutrient/s and the quantity of said nutrient/s found or added in the processed foods or food products; Pre-packaged Food Products refer to foods that are sealed in food product package before being offered for sale; and d) Principal Display Surface means: (1) In the case of a package and carton that has at least two (2) equal sized sides or surfaces, other than the top and bottom, that may be displayed or visible under normal or customary conditions of sale or use, the areas of each of the two (2) largest surfaces; (2) In the case of a spherical, cylindrical, or conical container of food products, the two (2) largest surfaces that are predominantly displayed; and (3) In the case of a package and carton that do not have a particular side or surface that is predominantly displayed or visible under normal or customary conditions of sale or use or those that are not described under items (i) and (ii) above, fifty percent (50%) of the three (3) dominant sides or the total surface thereof, whichever is bigger, which will ensure that the color-coded nutritional information is visibly shown.

SEC. 4. Color Coding of Pre-Packaged Food. - All food manufacturers

shall provide color-coded nutrition facts of pre-packaged food products to be shown in the principal display surfaces of food products. The color-coded nutrition facts provided under this Act shall be categorized based on the fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt content of the food product, which shall be represented by the following color codes: Red, if the food product contains high level of any of the foregoing nutrients; b) Yellow, if the food product contains medium level of any of the foregoing nutrients; or C) Green, if the food product contains low level of any of the foregoing nutrients.

Provided, That the portion of the principal display surface of the food packaging dedicated to the color-coded nutritional information display shall not be lower than fifteen percent (15%) of the surface area of the principal display surface: Provided, further, That the nutrition labeling requirements under this Act shall not apply to pre-packaged condiments sold in the market: Provided, furthermore, That nothing herein shall be construed to exempt food manufacturers from complying with existing mandatory nutritional labelling laws and regulations.

SEC. 5. Determination of Nutrition Content of Foods and

9 Certification Quality Assurance. - The nutrition information provided by food manufacturers in all food product packages shall be in accordance with the standards set by relevant government agencies. For this purpose, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) shall have the authority to require all food manufacturers to submit sworn statements and relevant information to substantiate their declarations.

SEC. 6. Transition Period. - All food manufacturers covered under this Act

shall have a period of one (1) year to comply with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Penalties. - All food manufacturers that fail to comply with any

provisions of this Act shall be subject to the following penalties: a) First Violation - A fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), and an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within two (2) months from the issuance of such order; b) Second Violation - A fine of not less than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00), with an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within one (1) month from the issuance of such order; Third Violation - A fine of not less than Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00), with an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within seven (7) days from the issuance of such order; and d) All subsequent violations shall be imposed a fine of not less than Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00), and revocation of all relevant permits issued by the FNRI and FDA, including revocation of business permit to operate within the concerned local government unit.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the fines imposed under this Section shall be paid to the Department of Health (DOH), which shall be utilized to initiate and execute campaigns relating to nutrition education in public schools.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, DOST, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTT) shall, in consultation with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act. Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws. Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,