Republic of the Philippines ON

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES aA
Constitution Hills, Quezon City RECEIVED 2

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS .
First Regular Session fey)

35:

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HOUSE BILL

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘BOJIE” G. DY IIT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate a health star rating in labelling consumer food
products, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 7394 otherwise known as the
“Consumer Act of the Philippines.”

The health star rating is a front-of-pack labeling system that allows the
consumer to compare the nutrition of similar goods quickly and easily. The system
assigns a star rating from one-half to five stars, with more stars indicating a healthier
option. A packaged product is assigned a rating based on its nutritional profile thus
allowing consumers to quickly check the nutritional value of the product. At present,
this system is used in Australia and New Zealand.

According to the Center for Disease and Prevention in the United States, good
nutrition is essential to keep people healthy across their lifespan. A healthy diet helps
children grow and develop properly and reduces their risk of chronic diseases. Adults
who eat a healthy diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type
2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

As of 2024, based on a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),
the leading causes of death in the Philippines are heart diseases, neoplasms,
cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus.’

According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS), the prevalence of
obesity among Filipino adults remains high at 4 in every 10 (39.8 percent), with a
significantly higher prevalence among women (45.4 percent) and urban dwellers (44.5
percent), posing a public health concern.

‘https://psa. gov ph/content/2024-causes-death-philippines-provisional-30-november-2024


The health star rating system is an efficient way to inform and equip Filipinos
with the necessary information that will help them make the right choices for their
health, thereby reducing their vulnerability to life-threatening diseases.

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

FAUST! SOSTE’ G. DY TT


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5
HOUSE BILL NO. 3582

Introduced by Rep. FAUSTINO ‘BOJIE’ G. DY IIT

AN ACT
MANDATING THE USE OF A HEALTH STAR RATING SYSTEM ON THE
LABELS OF PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS, AMENDING FOR THIS
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Article 84 of Republic Act No. 7394 otherwise known as the
“Consumer Act of the Philippines” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Article 84. Additional Labeling Requirements for Food. ~
The following additional labeling requirements shall be imposed by the
concemed department for food:

a) _ expiry or expiration date, where applicable;

b) whether the consumer product is semi-processed, fully
processed, ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat, prepared food or just plain
mixture;

c) HEALTH STAR RATING LABEL THAT IS
CALCULATED BASED ON THE nutritive value, [*#any;] WHICH
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

(1) TOTAL ENERGY OR KILOJOULES;
(2) SATURATED FAT;

(3) SODIUM OR SALT;

(4) | SUGAR CO) 'T; AND

(5) FIBER.

d) whether the ingredients used are natural or synthetic, as
the case may be;

e) such other labeling requirements as the concerned
department may deem necessary and reasonable.”



“FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, HEALTH STAR RATING
REFERS TO A FRONT-OF-PACK LABELLING SYSTEM THAT MEASURES.
THE OVERALL NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF PACKAGED FOOD FROM
ONE-HALF ('4) STAR TO FIVE (5) STARS AND PROVIDES A QUICK, EASY
AND STANDARD GUIDE TO COMPARE SIMILARLY PACKAGED FOODS.
THE MANUFACTURERS OF PACKAGED FOOD SHALL CALCULATE THE
HEALTH STAR RATING OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND SUBMIT THE
RATING TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR
APPROVAL.”

SECTION 2. The Food and Drug Administration, in consultation with the National
Nutrition Council and other technical and nutrition experts, shall develop the health
star rating system that will be used by the food manufacturers pursuant to this Act.

SECTION 3. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 4, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,