EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
'(©flitf of tijf fef;ntflrp
20 
JAN 21 
A 8 S 0
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 2 8 0
REC'i . D B r
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT MANDATING FOOD MANUFACTURERS TO DISPLAY 
COLOR-CODED NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON FOOD 
PACKAGING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Filipino population suffers from the “double burden of malnutrition,” or the 
co-existence of undernutrition along with overweight and obesity. Data from the 2018 
Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research 
Institute (FNRI) shows that while 30% of children below five years old are stunting, 
the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children, adolescents, and 
adults is increasing at an alarming rate.
According to the ENNS, 11.7% of school children, 11.6% of adolescents, and 
37.2% of adults are overweight or obese in 2018. In figures, this totals to 
approximately 24 million overweight or obese Filipinos who are vulnerable to 
developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, 
cancer, and diabetes. These rates are way higher than the prevalence in 2003 when 
overweight and obese constitute only 1.9% of school children, 4.9% of adolescents, 
and 24% of adults.
Meanwhile, data from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) 
shows that fruits and vegetables constitute a declining share of food consumed at 
home. In contrast, the consumption of cereals and cereals products, which include 
bread, noodles, and snack foods made from wheat flour, follows an increasing trend, 
from 28% in 2003 to 35% of total food consumed at home in 2015.
The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that inadequate intake of such 
fruits and vegetables, together with high concentration of cholesterol in blood, 
physical inactivity, and tobacco use, are identified as huge risk factors to NCDs.


In light of the foregoing, a law that empowers consumers with health 
information is necessary to promote among the general population the consumption 
of adequate and well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyles. Thus, this bill requires food 
manufacturers to provide color-coded nutrition label for pre-packed products sold in 
retail outlets. This is to inform their consumers at a glance if the food has high, 
medium, or low amounts of fat, saturated fat, sugars, and salt.
Instilling health consciousness among consumers and enabling them to make 
informed decisions about their eating habits will not only reduce health risks, but also 
boost productivity, and improve the overall quality of life of Filipinos.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR Jj0EL VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 2 8 0
iS flitr of [l)> 
err tali'
20 
JAN 21 A 8 .-50
RECCiVfDSY-
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT MANDATING FOOD MANUFACTURERS TO DISPLAY 
COLOR-CODED NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON FOOD 
PACKAGING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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 “Traffic Light Nutritional 
Labeling Scheme on Food Packaging Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  The State hereby recognizes that a healthy diet is 
a foundation of good health, and a crucial element in improving individuals’ 
productivity and overall well-being. In consideration of the fact that the prevalence of 
non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is aggravated by poor nutrition, among others, 
the State shall instill health consciousness among Filipinos towards a desirable food 
consumption pattern. The State shall also protect and promote the right of every 
consumer to make informed decisions that can affect their short-term and long-term 
health. Towards this end, the State recognizes that a color-coded scheme is 
effective in conveying to consumers quick information on the nutritional content of 
the food products they consume.
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. -  For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
have the following meanings:
a) 
“Food product package" means the packet and package of food products that 
are for sale and distribution in the domestic market, importation, trade, and 
exchange, such as, but not limited to, packs, tins, boxes, pouches, flip-tops, 
slide and shell packages, and cartons.
b) 
“Nutrition facts” refers to a statement or information on food labels indicating 
the nutrient(s) and the quantity of said nutrient found or added in the processed 
foods or food products.


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c) 
“Pre-packaged food products” are foods that are sealed in food product 
package before being offered for sale;
d) 
“Principal Display Surface” means:
i. 
In the case of a package and carton that has at least two (2) equal sized 
sides or surfaces, other than the top and bottom, that may be displayed or 
visible under normal or customary conditions of sale or use, the areas of 
each of the two (2) largest surfaces;
ii. 
In the case of a spherical, cylindrical or conical container of food products, 
the two (2) largest surfaces that are predominantly displayed; and
Hi. 
In the case of a package and carton that do not have a particular side or 
surface that is predominantly displayed or visible under normal or 
customary conditions of sale or use or those that are not described under 
items (i) and (ii) above, fifty percent (50%) of the three (3) dominant sides 
or the total surface thereof, whichever is bigger, which will ensure that the 
color-coded nutritional information is visibly shown.
SEC 4. Color Coding of Pre-Packaged Food. -  All food manufacturers shall 
provide color-coded nutrition facts of pre-packaged food products to be shown in the 
principal display surfaces of food products.
The color-coded nutrition facts provided under this Act shall be categorized based on 
the fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt content of the food product, which shall be 
represented by the following color codes:
a) 
Red, if the food product contains high level of any of the foregoing nutrient;
b) 
Yellow, if the food product contains medium level of any of the foregoing 
nutrient; or
c) 
Green, if the food product contains low level of any of the foregoing nutrient.
Provided, That the portion of the principal display surface of the food packaging 
dedicated to the color-coded nutritional information display shall not be lower than 
15% of the surface area of the principal display surface; Provided further, That the 
nutrition labeling requirements under this Act shall not apply to pre-packaged 
condiments sold in the market; Provided finally. That nothing herein shall be 
construed to exempt food manufacturers from complying with existing mandatory 
nutritional labelling laws and regulations.
SEC. 4. Determination of Nutrition Content of Foods and Certification; Quality 
Assurance. -  The nutrition information provided by food manufacturers in all food 
product packages shall be in accordance with the standards set by relevant 
government agencies. For this purpose, the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and/or the Food and Drug


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Administration shall have the authority to require all food manufacturers to submit 
sworn statements and relevant information to substantiate their declarations.
SEC. 5. Transition Period. -  All food manufacturers covered under this Act shall 
have a period of six (6) months to comply with the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 6. Penalties. — All food manufacturers that fail to comply with any provisions 
of this Act shall be subject to the following penalties:
(a)
(b)
First (1st) Violation -  A fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php500,000), and an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within two 
(2) months from the issuance of such order;
Second (2nd) Violation -  A fine of not less than One Million Pesos 
(Php1,000,000), with an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within 
one (1) month from the issuance of such order;
(c) 
Third (3rd) Violation -  A fine of not less than Two Million Pesos (Php2,000,000), 
with an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within seven (7) days 
from the issuance of such order.
(d) 
All subsequent violations shall be imposed a fine of not less than Five Million 
Pesos (Php5,000,000), and revocation of all relevant permits issued by the 
FNRI and FDA, including revocation of business permit to operate within the 
concerned local government unit.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the fines imposed under this Section shall 
be paid to the Department of Health (DOH), which shall be utilized to initiate and 
execute campaigns relating to nutrition education in public schools.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. -  Within sixty (60) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in 
consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall formulate the rules and regulations to 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. -  Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other 
portions and provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can 
still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and 
administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby revoked, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official 
Gazette.
Approved,