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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
24 JAN “8 All SO
i^KEIVcO 3V
SENATE
S.B. No. 2518
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROBIHITING PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF BABY FOOD FROM 
ADDING SUGAR ON THEIR PRODUCTS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution provides that " 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."
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking a ban on added sugars in baby 
foods for children aging from 0 to 36 months old due to its detrimental impact on the 
child's oral health. In addition, added sugar on baby foods put children at risk of 
developing a preference for sweet foods, which may lead to overweight and obesity- 
related diseases in adulthood.
In a 2022 survey of the Department of Science and Technology's Food and 
Nutrition Research Institute, around 27 million Filipinos are overweight and obese. For 
the past two decades, overweight and obesity among adults have almost doubled from 
20.2% in 1998 to 36.6% in 2019. Similarly, the prevalence rates of overweight and 
obesity among adolescents have more than doubled from 4.9% in 2003 to 11.6% in 
2018.
A recent study by the University of the Philippines found that young Filipinos 
are at a greater risk of obesity, due to the consumption of food that is energy-dense 
and nutrient-poor, exacerbated by growing urbanization and increased incomes.


The proposed bill seeks to ensure good nutrition, optimal child growth and 
development, and better health outcomes for children. To this end, the government, 
and agencies concerned shall implement a ban on added sugar in baby food. The 
producers/manufacturers shali take responsibility to remove added sugar and look for 
healthier alternatives in their baby food products.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill is 
necessary.
IMEE R. MARCOS


,.'- i®f:;r? at t:.': Ss'> ■".-tu v
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SE
S.B. No.
8
24 m -8 All 50
RcCtiVcO ;;v.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROBIHITING 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:
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "No-Added Sugar on Baby Foods Act"
2 
SEC 2. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act the following terms shall mean:
3 
a) Baby Food- refers to all consumed food other than breastmilk that is made
4 
specifically for older infants and young children aged beyond six (6) months
5 
to thirty-six (36) months old.
6 
b) Older infant - refers to a person aged 6-12 months old.
7 
c) Producer/Manufacturer- one who produces imports, trades in, or distributes
8 
baby food.
9 
d) Regulatory requirements - the provisions of all applicable laws, regulations,
10 
executive orders, and other enactments related to foods quality and safety,
11 
purity, nutritional composition, and other aspects of food regulation or
12 
control.
13 
e) Young children - refers to a person aged 12 - 36 months old.
14
15 
SEC. 3. Ban On Added Sugar in Baby Food. No person or entity shall
16 
manufacture, sell, import, or distribute in commerce any baby food containing added
17 
sugar.


1 
The imposition of no-added sugar baby food shall not prejudice the quality and
2 
safety of their food products for children. All baby food shall be labeled in accordance
3 
with the requirements prescribed by the FDA.
4 
SEC. 4. 
Public Information. - The benefits and rationale of the use of no
5 
added sugar baby food shall be adequately disseminated and promoted through
6 
organized, systematic, and nationwide information campaign which shall involve major
7 
sectors of society to be spearheaded by the DOH, in cooperation and coordination with
8 
the LGUs and other agencies concerned.
9 
SEC. 5. 
Penalties for Violation. - Whenever it is found that a baby food
10 
contains added sugar, the DOH shall, after due notice and hearing, make the
11 
appropriate order for its recall, prohibition, or seizure from public sale or distribution.
12 
Any person natural or juridical, who shall violate Section 3 of this Act shall be subject
13 
to a fine not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) but not more
14 
than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or by imprisonment of not less than
15 
one (1) year but not more than five (5) years or both, upon the discretion of the court.
16 
In case the offender is a juridical person, the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such
17 
other officers or persons responsible for the offense, shall be liable for the penalty of
18 
imprisonment. If the seller, distributor or manufacturer of the injurious baby containing
19 
added sugar is a foreigner, he shall be deported after service of sentence and payment
20 
of fine without further deportation proceedings.
21 
SEC. 6. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
22 
this Act shall initially be charged to the appropriations of the agencies concerned as
23 
may be appropriated, under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such
24 
amount as may be necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual
25 
General Appropriations Act.
26 
SEC. 7. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty days (60) days
27 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary rules and
28 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act: Provided, that the DOH may
29 
call upon any agency to provide information or assistance in the drafting of the rules
30 
and regulations.
31 
SEC. 8. 
Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared
32 
unconstitutional or invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.
33 
SEC. 9. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
34 
regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed,
35 
amended or modified accordingly.
36 
SEC. 10. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15)
37 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of
38 
general circulation, whichever is earlier.


Approved,