TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
25 JJL 14 P 2 --52
Senate Bill No.
c*48
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 Philippines continues to grapple with a wide range of health challenges. This 
includes the phenomenon known as "double burden of malnutrition" or the 
simultaneous prevalence of undernutrition alongside rising rates of overweight and 
obesity. Over the past two decades, data shows that the proportion of overweight and 
obese individuals has steadily increased by an average of 0.73% per year. 
Consequently, a significant portion of the adult population suffers from chronic energy 
deficiency, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency.1
Among children, the situation is equally concerning. Only 1 in 4 children meets 
the recommended energy intake while 1 in 3 Filipino children are stunted.2 Alarmingly, 
according to the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), 1 in 10 children who are 
aged 5 to 10 years and 10 to 19 years are already considered to be overweight.3
Meanwhile, data from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and 
Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) reveal that Filipino adults consume
National Library of Medicine. The Double Burden of Malnutrition at the Individual Level Among Adults: A 
Nationwide Survey in the Philippines. Published on 15 November 2021. Available at 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8634133/ (Accessed on 8 July 2025).
EDCOM 2. 1 in 3 Filipino children stunted due to severe underinvestment, inadequate access to high quality 
childcare services - PIDS-EDCOM2 study. Published on 20 May 2024. Available at https://edcom2.gov.ph/l-in- 
3-filipino-children-stunted-due-to-severe-underinvestment-inadequate-access-to-high-quality-childcare- 
services-pids-edcom2-study/ (Accessed on 8 July 2025).
UNICEF. Curbing childhood obesity in the Philippines: Time to junk the junk (food). Published on 3 November 
2022. Available at https://www.unicef.org/philippines/stories/curbing-childhood-obesity-philippines-time-junk- 
junk-food#: ~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20children%20in%20the%20Philippines, 
%2C%20cancer%2C%20and%20heart%20failure (Accessed on 8 July 2025).
1


significantly less fruits and vegetables than the recommended daily intake set by the 
World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).4 
These organizations recommend that combined fruit and vegetable intake should be 
at least 400 grams or five servings per day.5 The WHO further warns that inadequate 
consumption of fruits and vegetables contributes to poor overall health and increases 
the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular 
disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.6 It was also estimated by the organization that 
in 2017 alone, approximately 3.9 million deaths worldwide were attributabie to 
insufficient fruit and vegetable intake.7
This measure seeks to empower consumers with accurate and accessible health 
information to promote and encourage the consumption of a nutritious diet and attain 
a healthy lifestyle. To achieve this, the bill mandates food manufacturers to provide 
color-coded nutrition labels for pre-packaged products sold in retail outlets. These 
labels will enable consumers to quickly distinguish whether a product contains high, 
medium, or low levels 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 of Filipinos, but also enhance 
their productivity and improve their overall quality of life.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOEL^LLANUEVA?^
DOST Food and Nutrition Research Institute. Pinoy adults, older persons need to consume more fruits and 
veggies - DOST-FNRl Pubiished on 10 June 2024. Available at 
https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/57a4e3d9e_shPbl0178czs_s/a-qlmt_3c (Accessed on 8 July 2025). 
Ibid.
World Health Organization. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of noncommunicable 
diseases. Published on 9 August 2023. Available at https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/fruit- 
vegetables-ncds (Accessed on 8 July 2025).
Ibid.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JUL 14 P2 :52
ilr .
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 assem bled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Traffic Light
2 
Nutritional Labeling Scheme on Food Packaging Act"
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby recognizes that a
4 
healthy diet is a foundation of good health and a crucial element in improving
5 
productivity and overall well-being of all Filipinos. Recognizing that the prevalence
6 
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is aggravated by poor nutrition, among
7 
others, the State shall instill health consciousness among Filipinos towards a
8 
desirable food consumption pattern. The State shall also protect and promote the
9 
right of every consumer to make informed decisions that can affect their short-
10 
term and long-term health. Towards this end, the State recognizes that a color-
11 
coded scheme is effective in helping consumers quickly convey information on the
12 
nutritional content/s of the food products that they consume.
13 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following
14 
terms shall be defined as follows:
15 
a) Food Product Package refers to the packet and package of food products
16 
that are for sale and distribution in the domestic market, importation, trade,
1


1 
and exchange, such as, but not limited to, packs, tins, boxes, pouches, flip-
2 
tops, slide and shell packages, and cartons;
3 
b) Nutrition /acfs refer to a statement or information on food labels indicating
4 
the nutrient/s and the quantity of said nutrient/s found or added in the
5 
processed foods or food products;
6 
c) Pre-packaged Food Products refer to foods that are sealed in food
7 
product package before being offered for sale; and
8 
d) Principal Display Surface means:
9 
(1) In the case of a package and carton that has at least two (2) equal sized
10 
sides or surfaces, other than the top and bottom, that may be displayed
11 
or visible under normal or customary conditions of sale or use, the areas
12 
of each of the two (2) largest surfaces;
13 
(2) In the case of a spherical, cylindrical, or conical container of food
14 
products, the two (2) largest surfaces that are predominantly displayed;
15 
and
16 
(3) In the case of a package and carton that do not have a particular side
17 
or surface that is predominantly displayed or visible under normal or
18 
customary conditions of sale or use or those that are not described
19 
under items (i) and (ii) above, fifty percent (50%) of the three (3)
20 
dominant sides or the total surface thereof, whichever is bigger, which
21 
will ensure that the color-coded nutritional information is visibly shown.
22 
SEC. 4. Color Coding of Pre-Packaged Food. - All food manufacturers
23 
shall provide color-coded nutrition facts of pre-packaged food products to be
24 
shown in the principal display surfaces of food products.
25 
The color-coded nutrition facts provided under this Act shall be categorized
26 
based on the fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt content of the food product, which
27 
shall be represented by the following color codes:
28 
a) 
Red, if the food product contains high level of any of the foregoing nutrients;
29 
b) 
Yellow, if the food product contains medium level of any of the foregoing
30 
nutrients; or
31 
c) Green, if the food product contains low level of any of the foregoing
32 
nutrients.


1 
Provided, That the portion of the principal display surface of the food
2 
packaging dedicated to the color-coded nutritional information display shall not be
3 
lower than fifteen percent (15%) of the surface area of the principal display
4 
surface: Provided, further. That the nutrition labeling requirements under this Act
5 
shall not apply to pre-packaged condiments sold in the market: Provided,
6 
furthermore. That nothing herein shall be construed to exempt food manufacturers
7 
from complying with existing mandatory nutritional labelling laws and regulations.
8 
SEC. 5. Determination of Nutrition Content of Foods and
9 
Certification Quality Assurance. - The nutrition information provided by food
10 
manufacturers in all food product packages shall be in accordance with the
11 
standards set by relevant government agencies. For this purpose, the Food and
12 
Drug Administration (FDA), in coordination with the Department of Science and
13 
Technology (DOST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) shall have the
14 
authority to require all food manufacturers to submit sworn statements and
15 
relevant information to substantiate their declarations.
16 
SEC. 6. Transition Period. - All food manufacturers covered under this Act
17 
shall have a period of one (1) year to comply with the provisions of this Act.
18 
SEC. 7. Penalties. — All food manufacturers that fail to comply with any
19 
provisions of this Act shall be subject to the following penalties:
20 
a) First Violation - A fine of not less than Five Flundred Thousand Pesos
21 
(P500,000.00), and an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within
22 
two (2) months from the issuance of such order;
23 
b) Second Violation - A fine of not less than One Million Pesos (PI,000,000.00),
24 
with an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within one (1) month
25 
from the issuance of such order;
26 
c) Third Violation - A fine of not less than Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00),
27 
with an order to comply with the provisions of this Act within seven (7) days
28 
from the issuance of such order; and
29 
d) All subsequent violations shall be imposed a fine of not less than Five Million
30 
Pesos (P5,000,000.00), and revocation of all relevant permits issued by the
31 
FNRI and FDA, including revocation of business permit to operate within the
32 
concerned local government unit.


1 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the fines imposed under this
2 
Section shall be paid to the Department of Health (DOH), which shall be utilized
3 
to initiate and execute campaigns relating to nutrition education in public schools.
4 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
5 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, DOST, and the Department of Trade and
6 
Industry (DTI) shall, in consultation with relevant government agencies and
7 
stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry
8 
out the provisions of this Act.
9 
Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within
10 
the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to
11 
administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws.
12 
Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of
13 
the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith
14 
or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.
15 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
16 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected
17 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
18 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
19 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
20 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
21 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
22 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
23 
circulation.
Approved,