Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2403

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides, in part:

“Section. 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth
in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. x x x.”

Likewise, Section 15 of the same Article provides:

“Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them.”

Pursuant to these policies, there is a need for the State to actively
promote the health of children and to take the necessary steps to prevent
serious health risks brought about by the consumption of unhealthy food and
beverages. Consequently, the State is just exercising its mandate to protect
the right to health of the people by requiring that children are given healthy
and nutritious choices when purchasing food and beverages in school
canteens.

This bill seeks to regulate the sale of unhealthy food and beverage in all
public and private schools in the country by adopting some of the guidelines
provided in the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 13, Series of
2017, entitled “Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices
in Schools and in DepEd Offices.” With the approval of this proposed measure,
we will make available healthy, nutritious and affordable menu choices to our
youth and instill healthy eating habits among them.


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‘There is also a need for the State to regulate the marketing and sale of
foods and non-alcoholic beverages in all public and private schools to
prioritize restrictions on the sale and marketing of food products high in
sugar, salt and fat. Unhealthy food eating patterns such as more sugar, fats,
oils and less leafy vegetables and whole grain cereals and a sedentary lifestyle
lead to an upward surge in overweight and obesity.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition in all its
forms presents a significant threat to human health. Today, the world,
especially the developing countries, is facing the existence of the double
burden of malnutrition. According to World Health Organization, double
burden of malnutrition is the existence of undernutrition side by side with
overweight and obesity in the same population across the life course. Poor
nutrition impairs physical and brain development in children. Schools are
the best places to implement solutions to over-nutrition, malnutrition and
obesity since children and young adults spend most of their time in school.
‘Thus, it is imperative to regulate the kind of food and drinks sold at school
canteens.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. ‘A B. SU,

> |G REP. HORA SUANSING, JR.
1% District, Nueva Ecij

24 Distriét, Sultan Kudarat



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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2403

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

AN ACT
REGULATING THE SALE OF UNHEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGE IN ALL
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY

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
“Healthy Food and Beverage Act.”

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them. Toward this end, the State shall actively promote
the health of children and take the necessary steps to prevent serious health
risks brought about by the consumption of unhealthy food and beverages.
Further, the State shall ensure that children are provided with healthy
choices when purchasing food and beverages in schools, and shall regulate
the sale of unhealthy food and beverages to achieve this goal.

SEC.3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all public and private
schools all over the country.

SEC. 4. Duty of Canteens in All Public and Private Schools. ~
Canteens in all public and private schools are required to serve healthy food
and beverages in order to promote healthy diet, positive eating behaviors and
healthy eating environment.

The canteens in all public and private schools are directed to:


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a. Make available healthy food and beverage choices among
students;

b. Introduce a system of categorizing locally available food and
drinks in accordance with geographical, cultural and religious orientations;

c. Provide guidelines in evaluating foods and drinks; and

d. Support and supervise the selling, distribution and marketing of
healthy food and beverages in schools.

SEC.5. Duty to Educate Students on the Illeffects of
Unhealthy Food and Beverage Choices. - All public and private schools are
likewise required to incorporate into their curriculum lessons on the effects
of consumption of unhealthy food and beverages, including the effects of
sugar on the human body.

SEC.6. Adherence to the Requirements of a Healthy Diet. —
Canteens in all public and private schools are required to adhere to the
Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes as recommended by the Department of
Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute. Canteens are
obliged to approximate the nutritive value of foods per serving guided by the
following essential factors:

a. Wide range of nutrients;

b. Saturated fat is less than 3 grams or approximately equivalent to

more than half a teaspoon of fat per serving;

c. No trans fat;

d. Added sugar is less than 10 grams or 2 teaspoons per serving; and

e. Sodium is less than 120 milligrams or equivalent to 300 milligrams

of salt or 1/20 teaspoons salt per serving.

SEC.7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty
(30) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall, in
consultation with the Secretary of Health, Secretary of Science and
Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute and the National Nutrition
Council, issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act.


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SEC.8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and
regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC.9. — Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,