SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
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'13 . JUL -8 Pl2 :04 
SENATE 
S.No. 
58~ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 15, provides that "the State sh<:tll protect and 
promote the right to h'ialth of the people and instill health consciousness among th~m." 
There is no law requiring manufacturers, packers, or distributors to indicate the 
nutritional value of food products on their labels. 
This bill seeks to promote health consciousness among the public through proper labeling 
of nutritional contents in food products. I 
.. Lew", 4.k- ,O.~ 
~'MiRIAM DEFE~OR SAl'rl'fAt, 
. 
I This bill was originally flied during the Fourteenth Congress. 


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2 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 583 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING NUTRITION LABELING FOR FOOD 
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'13 J1Jl -8 Pl2 :04 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Nutrition Labeling Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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ensure that consumers have access to accurate information as to the nutritional contents of food 
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and food products to facilitate value comparisons and promote a free market economy. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act, the term: 
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(A) 
"Label" means any written, printed, or graphic matter affixed to al}y consumer 
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commodity or affixed'to or appearing upon a package containing any consumer commodity. 
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(B) 
"Package" means any container or wrapping in which any consumer commodity 
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is enclosed for use in the delivery or display of that consumer commodity to retail purchasers, 
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but does not include -
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(1) 
Shipping containers or wrappings used solely for the transportation of any 
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consumer commodity in bulk or in quantity to manufacturers, packers, or 
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processors, or to wholesale or retail distributors thereof, or 
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(2) 
Shipping containers or outer wrappings used by retailers to ship and deliver any 
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commodity to retail customers if such containers and wrappings bear no printed 
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matter pertaining to any particular commodity. 
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(C) 
"Food" means any material, usually of plant or animal origin, containing or 
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consisting of essential body nutrients that must be taken in or assimilated by a person as 
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nourishment to life and growth. 
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SECTION 4. Requirements a/Labeling. -
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(A) 
The commodity shall bear a label specifying the identity of the commodity and 
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the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor; 
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(B) 
The separate label statement of nutritional content shall appear in, conspicuous 
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and easily legible type in distinct contrast (by topography, layout, color, embossing, or molding 
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with other matter on the package); 
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(C) 
The label shall also contain the following: 
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(I) 
The number of servings or other units of measure per container; 
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(2) 
The total number of cal~ries derived from any source, and derived from the total 
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fat; and 
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(3) 
The amount of the following nutrients in each serving size or other unit of 
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measurement of the food: 
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(a) Total fat; 
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(b) Saturated fat; 
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(c) Cholesterol; 
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(d) Sodium; 
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(e) Total Carbohydrates; 
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(1) Complex Carbohydrates; 
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(g) Sugars; 
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(h) Dietary Fiber; and 
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(i) Total Protein 
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(4) 
Any vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient required to be placed on rhe label or 
. 
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labeling of food if it is determined that such information will assist cbnsumers in 
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maintaining healthy dietary practices. 
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(D) 
If a food contains insignificant amounts, as determined by the Bureau of Food and 
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Drugs, of all the nutrients required to be listed in the label or labeling of food, or advertising of 
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such shall not apply to such food if the label, labeling, or advertising of such food does not make 
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any claim with respect to nutritive value of such food. 
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(E) 
No packaged consumer commodity shall be distributed or caused to be distributed 
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in commerce unless it conforms to the regulatioris set by this Act and established by the Bureau 
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of Food and Drugs. 
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SECTION 5. Punishable Acts. -
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(A) 
It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in the packaging or labeling of any 
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consumer commodity for distribution in commerce of any such commodity if such commodity is 
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contained in a package, or if there is affixed to that commodity a label, which does not conform 
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to the provisions of this Act and of regulations promulgated under the authority of this Act. 
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(B) . 
This prohibition shall not apply to persons engaged in the business as wholesale 
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or retail distributors of c?nsumer commodities except to the extent that such persons !are engaged 
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in the packaging or labeling of such commodities, or. prescribe or specify by any means the 
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manner in which such commodities are packaged or labeled. 
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. SECTION 6. Consumer Education. - The Secretary of Department of Health, with the 
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Bureau of Food and Drugs shall carry out activities which educate consumers about-
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(A) 
The availability of nutrition information in the label or labeling offood; and 
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(S) 
The importance of the information in maintaining healthy dietary practices. 
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SECTION 7. Sepqrability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held inva:Jid or 
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unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) dltys after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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