Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No.__613

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is quite alarming that there is an absence of law a law requiring manufacturers,
packagers, or distributors to indicate the nutritional value of food products on their labels.

In the absence of such a law, the market has been deluged with food products that
raised and continues to raise health concerns among the consuming public. To remedy the
situation, this measure is being filed to declare it as a policy of the State to ensure that
consumers have access to accurate information as to the nutritional contents of food and food
products to facilitate value comparison and promote a free market economy.

The bill provides that the food commodity shall bear a label specifying the identity of the
product, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.

One of its salient features is the provision requiring that all each label shall contain the
following: number of servings or other units of measure per container; total number of calories
derived from any source and derived from the total fat; and, any vitamin, mineral or other
nutrient to be placed on the label or labeling of food if it is determined that such information will
assist consumers in maintaining healthy dietary practices.

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

H. B. no. 848

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
TO PRESCRIBE NUTRITION LABELING FOR FOODS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Nutrition Labeling Act of
2010.”

SEC, 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure
that consumers have access to accurate information as to the nutritional contents of food and
food products to facilitate value comparisons and promote a free market economy.

SEC.3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term:

a) “Label means any written, printed, or graphic matter affixed to any consumer
commodity or affixed to or appearing upon a package containing any consumer
commodity.

b) “Package” means any container or wrapping in which any consumer commodity is
enclosed for use in the delivery or display of that consumer commodity to retail
purchasers, but does not include —

1) Shipping containers or wrappings used solely for the transportation of any
consumer commodity in bulk or in quantity to manufacturers, packers, or
processors, or to wholesale or retail distributors thereof, or

2)

Shipping containers or outer wrappings used by retailers to ship and deliver any
commodity to retail customers if such containers and wrappings bear no printed
matter pertaining to any particular commodity.

°)

"Food" means any material, usually of plant or animal origin, containing or consisting
of essential body nutrients that must be taken in or assimilated by a person as
Nourishment to life and growth.


SEC. 4. Requirements of labeling.

a) The commodity shall bear a label specifying the identity of the commodity and the
name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor;

b) The separate label statement of nutritional content shall appear in conspicuous and
easily legible type in distinct contrast (by topography, layout, color, embossing, or
molding with other matter on the package);

©) The label shall also contain the following:
1) The number of servings or other units of measure per container;

2) The total number of calories derived from any source, and derived from the total
fat; and

3) The amount of the following nutrients in each serving size or other unit of
measurement of the food:

4) Total fat;
a) Saturated fat;
b) Cholesterol;
©) Sodium;
4) Total Carbohydrates;
) Complex Carbohydrates;
f) sugars;
9) Dietary Fiber; and
h) Total Protein

5) Any vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient required to be placed on the label or
labeling of food if it is determined that such information will assist consumers in

maintaining healthy dietary practices.

4) If a food contains insignificant amounts, as determined by the Bureau of Food and
Drugs, of all the nutrients required to be listed in the label or labeling of food, or
advertising of such shall not apply to such food if the label, labeling, or advertising of

such food does not make any claim with respect to nutritive value of such food

) No packaged consumer commodity shall be distributed or caused to be distributed in
commerce unless it conforms to the regulations set by this Act and established by
the Bureau of Food and Drugs.


SEC, 5. Punishable Acts. —

a) It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in the packaging or labeling of any
consumer commodity for distribution in commerce of any such commodity if such
commodity is contained in a package, or if there is affixed to that commodity a label,
which does not conform to the provisions of this Act and of regulations promulgated
under the authority of this Act.

b) This prohibition shall not apply to persons engaged in the business as wholesale or
retail distributors of consumer commodities except to the extent that such persons
are engaged in the packaging or labeling of such commodities, or prescribe or
specify by any means the manner in which such commodities are packaged or
labeled.

SEC. 6. Consumer Education. —

The Secretary of Department of Health, with the Bureau of Food and Drugs shall carry
out activities which educate consumers about ~

a) The availability of nutrition information in the label or labeling of food; and

b) The importance o€ the information in maintaining healthy dietary practices.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting,

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with, the

provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,