Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Congress of the Philippines 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No.  _______ 
Introduced by Rep. Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon-Uy 
AN ACT  
PROHIBITING PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF BABY FOOD FROM 
ADDING SUGAR ON THEIR PRODUCTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State shall establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and 
undertake appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country's 
health needs and problems.1 
Good nutrition is an integral factor to a child’s survival, growth, and development. In 2021, the 
Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) reported that only 13.8% of children 6 to 23 
months received the minimum acceptable diet for their optimal growth and development.2 
Further, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that baby food on market that 
generally contain too much sugar pose a source of health concern. The WHO stresses that 
proper infant nutrition is fundamental to a child’s continued health, from birth through 
adulthood. Thus, correct feeding in the first three years of life is particularly important due to 
its role in lowering morbidity and mortality, reducing the risk of chronic disease throughout 
their life span, and promoting regular mental and physical development.3 
Hence, this bill seeks to ensure good nutrition and optimal growth and development for our 
Filipino children by banning added sugar on baby food. 
REP. MARY MITZI L. CAJAYON-UY 
2nd District, Caloocan City 
/cv 
1 Article XIII, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution 
2 Healthier, affordable diets for children key to national development (unicef.org) 
3 Infant nutrition (who.int) 
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March 18, 2024
6:44 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Congress of the Philippines 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No.  _______ 
Introduced by Rep. Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon-Uy 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF BABY FOOD FROM 
ADDING SUGAR ON THEIR PRODUCTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "No-Added Sugar on Baby Foods Act." 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act the following terms shall mean: 
a) Baby Food- refers to all consumed food other than breastmilk that is made specifically
for older infants and young children aged beyond six (6) months to thirty-six (36)
months old.
b) Older infant - refers to a person aged 6-12 months old.
c) Producer/Manufacturer- one who produces, imports, trades in, or distributes baby food.
d) Regulatory requirements - the provisions of all applicable laws, regulations, executive
orders, and other enactments related to foods quality and safety, purity, nutritional
composition, and other aspects of food regulation or control.
e) Young children - refers to a person aged 12 - 36 months old.
SECTION. 3. Ban on Added Sugar in Baby Food. No person or entity shall manufacture, sell, 
import, or distribute in commerce any baby food containing added sugar. The imposition of 
no-added sugar baby food shall not prejudice the quality and safety of their food products for 
children. All baby food shall be labeled in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
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SECTION. 4. Public Information. - The benefits and rationale of the use of no added sugar 
baby food shall be adequately disseminated and promoted through organized, systematic, and 
nationwide information campaign which shall involve major sectors of society to be 
spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation and coordination with the 
LGUs and other agencies concerned. 
SECTION. 5. Penalties for Violation. - Whenever it is found that a baby food contains added 
sugar, the FDA shall, after due notice and hearing, make the appropriate order for its recall, 
prohibition, or seizure from public sale or distribution. Any person natural or juridical, who 
shall violate Section 3 of this Act shall be subject to a fine not less than Three Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) 
or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5) years or both, upon 
the discretion of the court. In case the offender is a juridical person, the President, Secretary, 
Treasurer, and such other officers or persons responsible for the offense, shall be criminally 
liable. If the seller, distributor or manufacturer of the injurious baby containing added sugar is 
a foreigner, he shall be deported after service of sentence and payment of fine without further 
deportation proceedings. 
SECTION. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
initially be charged to the appropriations of the agencies concerned as may be appropriated, 
under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary 
for its implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty days (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the FDA shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act: Provided, that the DOH and FDA may 
call upon any agency to provide information or assistance in the drafting of the rules and 
regulations.  
SECTION. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.  
SECTION. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly.  
SECTION. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,