NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No, 1G 8 4
' 
of tllf
23 JAN 17 P4 'A9
RECEIVED B\'
Introduced by; Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"AN ACT MANDATING THE USE OF A HEALTH RATING SYSTEM ON THE 
LABELS OF PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of 
health and wellness; this includes comprehensive knowledge of the food individuals 
consume. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the leading cause of death 
in the Philippines are diseases of the heart, vascular system, and respiratory system, 
along with malignant cancers, and diabetes. Undeniably, people who maintain a 
healthy diet will have a lower risk of serious illnesses and enjoy a better quality of life.
In order for Filipinos to have a better knowiedge of the food they eat, this bill 
seeks to mandate the use of a Rating System on iabeis of packaged food products, in 
addition to the standard nutritional facts label. The Health Rating System wiii be 
calculated based on the food's nutritive value which includes the total energy or 
kilojoules (kJ), saturated fat, sodium, sugar content, and fiber. This approach aims to 
arm Filipinos with the necessary information on the nutritional content of the food 
they choose to consume on a daily basis and in turn iessen their susceptibility to iife- 
threatening diseases.
In light of this, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestty'SouP
Raffy T. Tulfo
Senator


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1684
o{ t!}e 2?ff rt.irp
23 JAN 17 P4 49
RECEIVED BV..
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
/TX--
"AN ACT MANDATING THE USE OF A HEALTH RATING SYSTEM ON THE 
LABELS OF PACKAGED 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 "Health Rating Label
Act"
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
ensure the health and well-being of its people; by providing them an easier way to 
compare the nutritional value of similar packaged food products through the use of a 
health rating system, in addition to the standard nutritional facts label.
Sec 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows:
a. Health Rating System refers to a front-of-pack labeling system that 
measures the overall nutritional profile of packaged food products.
b. Packaged Food Products refer to products frequently purchased by 
consumers that are enclosed in a small parcel that is commercially 
prepared for ease of consumption. These products include ready-to- 
eat food items such as snacks, beverages, chips, and many more.
c. Kilojoules (kJ) refers to the metric term for calorie, it is the 
measurement of the energy peopie get from the food and drinks they 
have consumed.
d. Saturated Fat refers to a type of fat containing a high proportion of 
fatty acid moiecuies without double bonds, they are considered to be


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less healthy in the diet. They are found in animal food products and
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a number of plant oils like palm and coconut oil.
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e. Sodium is a food ingredient used as a preservative, in curing meat,
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baking, retaining moisture, and enhancing flavor.
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f. Sugar refers to simple carbohydrates that provide calories for a
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person's body to use as energy. There are two types of sugar, first
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is natural sugar which is in whole and unprocessed foods like fruits;
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while added sugar is found in processed food and drinks.
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g. /y&errefers to a substance in certain foods, like fruit, vegetables, and
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brown bread, that is not digested by the body but passes relatively
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intact in a person's stomach. It is also best known for its ability to
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prevent or relieve constipation.
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h. Condiments are supplemental food that is mostly added to dishes
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after serving in order to enhance or compliment their flavor.
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i. Non-nutritive foods refer to beverages like coffee and tea and indirect
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food additives such as noncaloric sweeteners.
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Sec 4. Coverage. - All packaged food products sold in shops like grocery stores
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shall implement the health rating system; except the following:
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(1) Fresh unpacked food;
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(2) Condiments;
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(3) Non-nutritive foods;
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(4) Single-ingredient foods not intended to be eaten on their own;
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(5) Alcoholic beverages;
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(6) Formulated products for infants and young children; and
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(7) Food for special medical purposes
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Sec 5. Heaith Rating System Labeiiing of Packaged Food. - The Flealth Rating
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System measures the overall nutritional profile of packaged food products from one
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(1) (the least nutritious) to five (5) (the most nutritious). This rating system is
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calculated based on the following:
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(1)Total Energy or Kilojoules;
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(2) Saturated Fat;
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(3) Sodium;


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(4) Sugar Content; and
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(5) Fiber
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Sec 6. Labelling. - The Health Rating System will be placed at the front of the
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packaged food product. In addition to this, the packaged food product's nutrient
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content will be shown below or beside the Health Rating; this includes its energy
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content (kilojoules), saturated fat, sodium content, and total sugar content per 100
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grams, 100 milliliters for liquids, or per pack for single-serve foods.
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In addition, the nutrient content will also showcase whether the packaged food
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product is high or low in saturated fat, sodium, or fiber.
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Sec 7. Regulating Authority. - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall
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serve as the regulating body to oversee the implementation of this Act. Furthermore,
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the Department of Health (DoH) shall create an oversight committee, comprised of
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representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry,
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and the Department of Agriculture, who are responsible for ensuring a consistent
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approach to the effective implementation of the Health Rating System.
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Sec 8. Penalties for Noncompliance. - Any manufacturer of packaged food
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products that violates any provision of this Act shall receive the following penalties:
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(a) On the first offense a warning shall be issued by the FDA to the company
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or manufacturer who is in violation of any of the provisions of this Act.
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(b)On the second offense a fine of Php 50,000 per day shall be imposed
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for violators who have been previously issued a warning in relation to
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this Act.
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(c) On the third offense the FDA shall issue an immediate suspension order
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for the company or manufacturer who refuses to comply with the
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provisions of this Act despite the issuance of a warning and imposition
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of a fine.
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Sec 9. Approval. - The manufacturers of packaged food products shall calculate
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the health rating of their products and submit the rating to the Food and Drug
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Administration (FDA) for approval.
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Sec 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
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this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


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Sec 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,