Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2806

House Bill No.

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 Lip. ARROYO GLORIA M, "AGAL ARROYO

Second District, Camarines Sur Second istrict, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2806

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 for
Food Products Act of 2013."

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

(©) 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,