A proposed law seeking to protect Filipinos – especially children – from the harmful effects of unhealthy food high in fat, sugar and sodium has been filed in Congress.
Under House Bill 2260 or the Healthy Food Environment Act, food makers will be required front-of-package warning labels on products that exceed safe levels of fat, sodium or sugar.
Authored by Rep. Nathaniel Oducado of 1Tahanan party-list, HB 2660 also seeks to regulate the marketing of such food to children, especially in schools, playgrounds and other child-centered spaces, to safeguard their right to proper nutrition and a healthy environment.
Oducado said it is the government’s duty to promote the right to health of every Filipino and to ensure children grow up in healthy environments.
He added that by mandating clear warnings, the measure aims to help consumers, parents in particular, make informed choices and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases like obesity, hypertension and diabetes among children and also adults.
‘This is about empowering parents and their respective families to make healthier choices and protect our children from aggressive marketing and misleading advertisement of junk food,’ Oducado stressed.
Once passed, the law will set stricter standards on food labeling and advertising practices, aligning with global health initiatives to fight lifestyle-related diseases, Oducado added.