EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SEN
S. No.
ef t!)c fercrrtnrj*
*19 
AUG 28 
AlO ‘-49
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapi?fCE‘''iL’‘ ,,v -■
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE OF FOOD ALLERGEN INFORMATION ON 
MENUS AND BOARDS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND RAISING 
AWARENESS ON FOOD ALLERGENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Food allergy is defined as "an abnormal response to a food triggered by your 
body's immune system."1 On a global scale, it is estimated that 2.5% of the general 
population is affected by food allergies2. However, there is some degree of 
inaccuracy to this data considering that there are problems pertaining to the 
accurate determination of prevalence of food allergy. In fact, in the Philippine 
context, there is a lack of accurate and up-to-date evidenced-based data on food 
allergy and how it affects different demographic groups. A study published in 2013 
revealed that in the Philippines 5.12% and 2.29% of the population aged 14-16 
years old are suffering from shellfish and fish allergy, respectively; while 0.43% of 
the same age group have peanut allergy3. However, the paucity of statistical 
information cannot negate the fact that food allergy is a major health and nutritional 
problem as it can cause severe symptoms or even life-threatening conditions such as 
anaphylaxis or a drastic drop in blood pressure.4
1 https://medlineplus.gov/foodallergy.html
2 https://www.worldallergy.org/education-and-programs/education/allergic-disease-resource- 
center/professionals/food-allergy
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3563019/
4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc- 
20355095


Unfortunately, 
it 
is 
commonplace 
that 
most 
restaurants 
and 
food 
establishments in our country do not provide sufficient warning signs and indications 
regarding the presence of allergens in the food and beverages that they serve to 
their customers. Seldom do we see menus that accurately and completely reveal 
allergen information. This bill seeks to remedy this situation by requiring the full 
disclosure of food allergen information on menus, menu boards and display tags of 
food establishments. To ensure strict compliance, penalties will be imposed upon 
covered establishments who fail to comply with the labelling requirements mandated 
by this legislative measure. This bill also proposes the implementation of nation-wide 
campaign to promote public awareness on the nature, causes and symptoms of food 
allergy and how its serious, life-threatening complications can be prevented.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bills is earnestly sought.
MTCnUE^'LI'
LITO " M. LAPID
Senator
r


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
976
S. No.
of tlj.- 
trrtarf
•19 
AUG 28 
AlO ’•49
RECtl i lD B;a , 4
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE OF FOOD ALLERGEN INFORMATION ON 
MENUS AND BOARDS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND RAISING AWARENESS ON
FOOD ALLERGENS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Food Allergen Awareness
2 
and Labeling Act".
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. — Section 15 of Article II of the Constitution provides 
that the State shall protect and promote the right of health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. The State recognizes the need for food establishments to 
disclose ingredients and chemical substances that pose a health risk and danger to its 
consumers.
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, unless otherwise indicated:
(a) "Food Allergen" is any food or ingredient known to cause hypersensitivity that 
contains protein derived from any of, but not limited to, the following: milk, egg, fish 
(e.g. bass, flounder or cod), crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp), tree nuts 
(e.g. almonds, pecans, or walnuts), wheat, peanuts and soybeans.
(b) "Mend' means printed list or pictorial display of food or beverages items offered for 
sale by a food establishment.
{cY'Menu board' means posted list or pictorial display of food or beverages items 
offered for sale by a food establishment, including a drive-through menu board;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
{6)"Display ta^' means an identification card for food or beverages on display case and 
offered for sale by a food establishment.
ifi)" Point o f said' means the location where a customer makes an order.
Sec. 4. Menu Labeling. -  Covered establishments shall disclose in a clear and 
conspicuous manner on their menus and menu boards the food allergen information, which 
shall be displayed adjacent to the name of the standard menu item, so as to be clearly 
associated with such item. In the case of displays tags, the food allergen information of the 
standard menu item identified on the display tag shall be stated thereon.
Sec. 5. Self-service Food and Food Display. -  In the case of food sold at a salad bar, 
buffet line, cafeteria line, or self-service facility, and for self-service beverages or food that is 
on display and that is visible to customers, a food establishment shall adjacent to each food 
offered a sign that food allergen information per displayed food item per serving.
Sec. 7. Covered Establishments. -  All fast food chains and restaurants with not less 
than five (5) branches shall comply with the menu labeling required under this Act.
Sec. 8. Noncompliance with Food Allergen Labeling Requirement. -  The following 
shall be considered non-compliance with the labeling required under this Act:
a) The sale of any food or beverage item by covered establishments without the 
required food allergen information displayed on the menu, menu board, or 
display tag;
b) The sale of any food or beverage item by covered establishments without the 
availability of the required food allergen information for all standard menu items; 
and
c) The misbranding or erroneous disclosure of food allergen information of standard 
menu items.
Sec. 9. Penalties. -  The DOH through the BFAD and in coordination with other 
concerned government agencies, after notice and hearing, shall impose any or all of the 
following administrative sanctions in cases of noncompliance:
(a) Suspension of registration; and
(b) A fine of not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php300,000.00) for 
the 
first 
violation; 
not 
more 
than 
Six 
Hundred 
Thousand 
Pesos 
(Php600,000.00) for the second violation; and not more than One Million 
Pesos (Phpl,000,000.00) for the third violation.
Sec. 10. Food Allergen Awareness Campaign. -  The Department of Health (DOH) 
shall implement a nation-wide campaign for raising the awareness of the general public on 
food allergen, its nature, causes and symptoms, and the avoidance of its health 
complications, among others. This campaign may include:


1 
(a) Campaign utilizing print, radio, television, social media and other internet-
2 
based public service announcements, advertisements, posters and 
other
3 
materials;
4 
(b) Community forums and assemblies;
5 
(c) Information-dissemination through local health units, hospitals, schools,
6 
health maintenance organizations, community-based organizations, etc; and
7 
(d) Creating and/or obtaining educational materials for distribution to public and
8 
private educational institutions.
9 
Sec. 11. Implementing Agency. -  The Department of Health (DOH) in consultation
10 
with other concerned agencies, non-government organizations, private sectors, and
11 
consumer groups involved in nutrition, shall promulgate rules and regulation to implement
12 
the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from approval of this Act.
13 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
14 
and regulations or portions thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed of
15 
modified accordingly.
16 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any part of provisions of this Act shall be held
17 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
18 
continue to be in full force and effect.
19 
Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
20 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
21
Approved,