Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

WENo,__448

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Consumer confidence is essential to the healthy growth of any market economy.

In a competitive market where consumers are becoming more discerning and
knowledgeable, adequate labeling of food and beverages plays a vital role both in the exercise

of consumers’ rights to safety, information and choice and, certainly, in the process of
strengthening the market economy,

Experience would tell us that the basic qualities that consumers look for in food and
beverage products are that of wholesomeness, tastiness and value-for-money not to mention
the health impact that such products may bring. For one, consumers who may have diabetes,
kidney disease, heart ailment, or allergies, etc. would be cautious about their food or beverage
intake. So that, strong consumer preferences to specific goods (and, of course, services) reveal
the very nature, character and confidence of people on such goods and services.

Consumers expect manufacturers and distributors to provide accurate information in
respect to the ingredients used. They must be well-informed about the specific substances
included in the product. This information must be as detail and accurate as it can be. Any
therapeutic claim or claims of products being “anti-ageing,” “anti-cancer,” etc. must be regulated
and, if possible, discouraged. The growth of the health food market in the Philippines calls for
government to take extra and special attention to protect consumers from misleading and false
claims in labeling information and advertisements.

Grounded on that premise, manufacturers and distributors of food and beverages owe it
to their consumers to come up with adequate and complete information of their respective
products in order to make informed choices.

This bill, therefore, reiterates that specific corporate responsibility of above-said
manufacturers and distributors. This specifically requires them to supply the necessary and
accurate information on their respective products before distributing and/or selling them to the
market.

Itis for this reason that passage of this bill is sought.

Za
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JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

Representative

Lone District, Province of Aurora



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

rae Co)

H.B.No.

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA.

: AN ACT
REGULATING THE STRICT LABELING OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE
PRODUCTS BY MANUFACTURING AND DISTRITUTION COMPANIES

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 “Consumer Information and
Protection Act of 2010.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to put in its
highest priority the promotion of, as much as practicable, the interest and welfare of consumers.
Toward this end, the government shall ensure to put in place a regulatory policy against

inadequate and misleading information in labels of food and beverages being sold in the
country

SEC. 3. Supply of Information on Labels. A\| manufacturers and distributors of food

and beverages in the country shall be required to supply the following information on labels of
their respective products:

a)
b)
°)
d
e

Ingredient List;

Additives;

Genetic Modification;

Minimum durability Indication;

Net Content;

f) Information of Country of Origin, Manufacturers, Packers and Local Sale Agent; and

g) Nutrition Labeling

SEC. 4, Accuracy. Pursuant to section 3 herein, all manufacturers and distributors of

food beverages shall provide accurate information with respect to, among others:

a) Ingredients used;
b) The net weight/percentage of sugar, salt or sulphur; and "
c) Other chemical substances that may have impact on persons with special heal

conditions.


SEC. 5. Legality. It shall be endured that labeling of food and beverage products is
legible and easily understood by consumers.

For the benefit of those who are unable to read for reasons of illiteracy or of deficiency in

reading due to eye-sight problem, labeling information shall be done through the use of graphic
symbols.

SEC. 6. Imported Food Products. Where food and beverage products are imported
and are labeled in the language of the place of origin and which consumers in importing country

may not understand, translation of such product information into either English or Filipino shall
be made.

SEC. 7. Role of Manufacturing and Distribution Sector. Those involved in the
manufacturing and distribution of food and beverage products shall recognize that proper
labeling of their products reduces not only compliance costs and minimizes risk of product
recall, but as well as helps enhance consumer confidence in their respective products. Toward
this end, manufacturers and distributors of food and beverage products are required to assist
the government in raising public awareness on the significance of adequate labeling and in the
interpretation of information and data contained on such labels. They shall endeavor to assist in
educating consumers insofar as quality products are concerned.

SEC. 8. Penalty. Violation of section 3 hereof shall be punished by imprisonment of not
less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand
Pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) at the
discretion of the Court.

SEC. 9. Discarding of Non-compliant Products. All food and beverage products
non-complying with the provisions of section 3 hereof shall, within one (1) year from the
effectivity of this Act, be discarded by their manufacturers/distributors thereof. Failure to discard
such and proving of their sale or distribution in the market shall be considered a violation under

section 3 of this Act.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) in consortium with the Department of Health (DOH), shall prepare the

implementing rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
Which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly


effect.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (115) days from its publication in
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation after its approval by the President.

Approved,