Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1469

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT TO PRESCRIBE NUTRITION LABELING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As expressly stated in Article Il, Section 15, of the Constitution, it
provides that "the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instill health consciousness among them."

At present, there is no existing law requiring manufacturers, packagers,
or distributors to indicate the nutritional value of food products on their labels.
Due to the deluge of various food products in the market, there is an urgent
need for consumers to be wary of such detail/s to be able to make well-
informed choices especially if it concerns health issues.

This bill, therefore, seeks to promote health consciousness among the

public through proper labeling of nutritional contents in food products. In view
of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this proposed measure is requested.

DIOSDADO be. ARROYO cuoyf lA Wacapacgl ARROYO

Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
469
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT TO PRESCRIBE NUTRITION LABELING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS.

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."

SECTION 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 comparison and
promote a free market economy.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. —

(a) The term "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) The term "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 wrapping 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.

(c) The term “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 maintain life and growth

SECTION 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 its
conspicuous and easily legible type in distinct contrast by typography,
layout, color, embossing, or molding with other matter on the package.

(c) The label shall also contain the following;
(1) 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

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

“Total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates,
complex carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fiber, and total protein”

(4) 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.

(d) 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, the requirements 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 the nutritive value of such food.


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

SECTION 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, or for
any person engaged in the distribution in commerce of any packaged or
labeled consumer commodity, to distribute or to cause to be distributed in
commerce 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 (I)a re engaged in the packaging or labeling of
such commodities, or (2) prescribe or specify by any means the manner in
which such commodities are packaged or labeled.

SECTION 6. Consumer Education. - The Secretary of the Department of
Health with the Bureau of Food and Drugs shall carry out activities which educate
consumers about-

(1) the availability of nutrition information in the label or labeling of food,
and

(2) the importance of that information in maintaining healthy dietary
practices.

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

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule of
regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

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

Approved,