, 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
'15 
MAY 25 P6 :14 
S. B.No.-2783 
,t/·fEIVUI BY; 
.~' 
Introduced by Senator Maria LOU/'des Nancy S. Binay 
--u-
AN ACT MANDATING THE POSTING OF NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON MENU 
ITEMS OF FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 1993, the nationwide nutrition survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research 
Institute of the Department of Science and Technology ("FNRI-DOST") showed that 14% of 
Filipinos 20 years old and above are overweight, while 2.6% are obese. Converted to absolute 
figures, there are 5.7 million Filipino adults who were either overweight or obese, an 
alarming increase of63% from figures from just the 1980s. 
Fast forward to the 21 sl century, and a 2011 survey by FNRI-DOST showed that a disturbing 
22.3% of Filipino adults are overweight while 6.1 % are obese. Furthermore, studies report 
that prevalence of overweight Filipinos is expected to still increase significantly by 2015, 
which translates to even more health problems ahead. If this distressing trend continues, it is 
highly likely that more will suffer from lifestyle-related, high risk diseases that could lead to 
death. 
Potentially fatal conditions associated with obesity include Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart 
disease, cancers, and gall bladder disease. As many as 80% of people with Type 2 diabetes 
are obese at the time of diagnosis. Obesity is likewise a significant independent risk factor 
for coronary heart disease or CHD and is the third most vital predictor of CHD in men. 
Hypertension is typically linked to obesity due to high fat and sodium intake in the diet and 
insulin insensitivity. It has been estimated that the prevalence of hypertension in obese 
patients is nearly three times than that of non-obese individuals. Hyperlipidemia, or the 
increasing quantities of fat in the blood, is common too in obese people as a result of high fat 
intake. 
Cancer of the endometrium, cervix, ovary, breast, and prostrate has been shown to be more 
prevalent in patients who are clinically obese. The frequency of gall bladder disease 
increases as weight increases, with gallstones occurring three to four times more often in the 
obese compared to those with normal weights. 
Data also show correlation between excessive body weight and an increased incidence of gall 
bladder inflammation, particularly in overweight women. 
As overweight and obesity pose health problems to the country, people need to be informed 
of the risks, prevention, and treatment before productivity will be hampered by poor health 
and loss of life. 


Recently, some experts recognized Internet addiction, in which individuals spend an 
excessive amount of time online, as an evolving medical condition. In the age of the internet, 
Twitter, and Facebook, obesity will continue to rise due to the lack of physical activity with 
increase of unhealthy eating patterns-high intake of French fries, burgers, pizza, sweetened 
beverages, junk foods. 
Restaurants (herein used interchangeably with "food service establishments" or ("FSE") have 
become an important source of daily food intake for Filipinos. In fact, fast food retains its 
position as the largest and the fastest-growing category in the Philippine consumer 
foodservice industry. 
Considering the foregoing, assuring safe and healthy dining options should be a top public 
health priority. 
Studies report that nutrition labeling works and is supported by consumers and leading health 
experts. In fact, surveys revealed that consumers do read food labels where available, and that 
nutrition information on food labels has caused them to change their food purchasing habits. 
Nutrition labeling on most food products for sale in groceries facilitates informed choice, but 
consumers lack such essential information to make healthy choices when eating in 
restaurants. Calorie information, if provided at the time of food selection, would allow 
consumers to make more informed choices. Accordingly, this bill proposes to require that 
information on calorie content values of menu items be available to patrons of FSEs at the 
time of ordering. 
By mandating the posting of nutritional information concerning restaurant menu items' 
calorie contents, so that such information is accessible at the time of ordering, this proposed 
piece of legislation will allow individuals to make more informed choices that can decrease 
their risk for the negative health effects of overweight and obesity associated with excessive 
calorie intake. The goal is to use conveniently available nutrition information in addressing 
both individual behavior and the community environment. 
In view of the foregoing, the timely passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
MA 
Senator 
D S NANCY S. BINA Y 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No·-2783 
'15 
fillY 25 P6 :14 
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay (C", iT".L BY, .. ·r: 
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AN ACT MANDATING THE POSTING OF NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON MENU 
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ITEMS OF FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. This act shall be known as the "Mandatory Nutritional Labeling By 
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Food Service Establishments Act of2015." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy The World Health Organization has now recognized 
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obesity to be epidemic. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of 
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Science and Technology stated that the problem of obesity is increasing in an alarming rate in 
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the Philippines where seven (7) out of ten (10) women and one (I) out of ten (10) men are 
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affected thereby. The modern conveniences brought about by technology have encouraged 
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decreased physical activity coupled with an increase of unhealthy eating patterns. 
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It has always been the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the 
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people and instill health consciousness among them. Toward this end, it is hereby declared 
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the policy of the State to encourage consumer education by making conveniently available 
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nutrition information of menu items sold by covered food service establishments. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms are defined as 
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follows: 
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a. 
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b. 
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c. 
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Covered Food Service Establishment - Any food service establishment which 
belong to a group of ten (10) or more food service establishments that operate 
under common ownership or are individually franchised, whether nationally or 
internationally, or do business under the same name; 
Menu - Is a list or pictorial display of a food item or items and their prices. This 
includes take-out menus and may include promotional signages, posters, and 
other similar items within the establishment, including those positioned at or 
prior to drive-through windows. 
Menu Item - Is an individual food or beverage item, or combination of items, 
that is listed or displayed on a menu board or menu, depicted on any other list of 
pictorial display, that includes prices and is visible within the food service 
establishment; 
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d. 
Department - The Department of Health; 
SECTION 4. Calorie labeling. 
(A) Calorie information for menu items. Covered food service establishments shall post on 
menu boards and menus the calorie content values (in kilocalories) of each menu item next to 
the listing of said menu item. The term "calories" or "cal" shall appear as a heading above a 
column listing the calorie content value of each menu item, or adjacent to the calorie content 
value for each menu item, in the same or larger typeface as the calorie content values for 
individual menu items. 
(I) Menu boards. On menu boards, calorie content values shall be posted in a size 
and typeface at least as large as the name of the menu item or price, whichever is 
larger. 
(2) Menus. On printed menus, calorie content values shall be legible and shall be 
printed in a size and typeface at least as large as the name or price of the menu item. 
(B) Range of calorie content values with different flavors and varieties. For menu items that 
come in different flavors and varieties but that are listed as a single menu item, the range of 
calorie content values showing the minimum to maximum numbers of calories for all flavors 
or varieties of that item shall be listed on menu boards and menus for each size offered for 
sale. 
SECTION 5. Calculation of calorie content values. The mandated calorie count information 
must reflect the standard preparation of each menu item as served to the consumer. The 
calorie count must be based on a certifiable analysis of the menu item, which may include 
laboratory testing, use of nutrient databases or any other reliable procedure of analysis. 
Calorie labels are to be rounded off to the nearest ten (l0) calories for calorie counts above 
fifty (50) and to the nearest five (5) calories for calorie counts at or below fifty (50). 
SECTION 6. Penalties. The failure of any covered food service establishment to comply 
with the provisions of this Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations within one (I) 
year from the effectivity hereof shall subject the same to the following penalties: 
a. 
First (I st) Violation - A fine of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(PI ,500,000.00) with a warning to comply with the provisions of this Act within 
one (1) year from the discovery ofthe covered institution's failure to comply; 
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Second (2nd) Violation - A fine of Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00) with a 
second warning to comply with the provisions of this Act within one (1) year 
from the discovery of the covered institution's failure to comply with the first 
warning; and 
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Third (3rd) Violation - A fine of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P2,500,000.00) with a final warning to comply with the provisions of this Act 
within One (l) year from the discovery of the covered institution's failure to 
comply with the second warning and possible revocation of business permit to 
operate within the concerned local government unit. 
The fines imposed under this provision shall be paid to the Department, which shall utilize 
the same to initiate and execute campaigns relating to nutrition education in public schools. 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Health shall issue the 
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necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the approval of 
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this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
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thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. Should any part or provision of this Act be declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not otherwise affected thereby 
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shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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