Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HousEBILLNo.10119
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Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego "Ping" D. Remulla
AN ACT
PROHIBITING PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF BABY FOOD FROM
ADDING SUGAR T0 TIIEIR PRODUCTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
HXPLANATORY NOTE
Article 11, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the state to protect
and promote the right to health, particularly among children. This Act is aimed at ensuring the
health and well-being of infants and young children by strictly prohibiting the addition of sugar
to baby foods - a direct response to the escalating concerns over the rising rates of childhood
obesity and its associated health complications in the country.
The 8th National Nutrition Survey highlighted a concerning increase in the prevalence
of overweight children, with rates rising from 1% in 1989 to 5% in 2013 for children aged 0-5
years.I
Lhttps://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/addressing-childhood-obesity-in-the-
philippines
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The World Health Organization has consistently warned against the detrimental effects
of added sugars in the diets of infants and young children,  including a heightened risk of
developing obesity, dental issues, and type 2 diabetes later in life.
This   legislative  measure  reinforces  the   Philippine   government's  commitment  to
safeguarding  public  health,  particularly  the  health  of vulnerable  children,  by  fostering  a
healthier food environment that supports their growth and development without exposing them
to unnecessary health risks.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
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CRISPIN DIEGO "PING" D. REMULLA
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVHS
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HousEBILLNo.10119
Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego "Ping" D. Remulla
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AN ACT
PROHIBITING PRODUCI]RS AND MANUFACTURERS 0F BABY FOOD FROM
ADDING SUGAR T0 TREIR PRODUCTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION. 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "No-Added Sugar on Baby Foods Act"
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act the following terms shall mean:
cr/   Baby Food - refers to all consumed food other than breastmilk that is made specifically
for older  infants  and young children aged beyond  six  (6)  months to thirty-six  (36)
months old.
bJ   Older infant -refers to a person aged 6 - 12 months old.
c)   Producer/Manufacturer - one who produces imports, trades in, or distributes baby food.
d)   Regulatory requirements - the provisions of all applicable laws, regulations, executive
orders,  and  other  enactments  related  to  food  quality  and  safety,  purity,  nutritional
composition, and other aspects of food regulation or control.
e)   Young children -refers to a person aged 12 -36 months old.
SEC. 3. Ban On Added Sugar in Baby Food. No person or entity shall manufacture,
13       sell, import, or distribute in commerce any baby food containing added sugar.
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1                    The imposition of no-added sugar baby food shall not prejudice the quality and safety
2      of their food products  for children.  All baby  food  shall  be  labeled  in accordance with the
3       requirements prescribed by the FDA.
4                   SEC. 4. Public Information. -The benefits and rationale of the use of no added sugar
5      baby food shall be adequately disseminated and promoted through organized, systematic, and
6      nationwide  information  campaign  which  shall  involve  major  sectors  of  society  to  be
7      spearheaded by the DOH, in cooperation and coordination with the LGUs and other agencies
8       concerned.
9                   SHC. 5. Penalties for violation. -Whenever it is found that a baby food contains added
10      sugar, the DOH shall, after due notice and hearing, make the appropriate order for its recall,
11       prohibition, or seizure from public sale or distribution. Any person natural or juridical, who
12       shall  violate  Section  3  of this  Act  shall  be  subject to  a fine  not  less than  Three  Hundred
13       Thousand pesos (P300,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand pesos (P500,000.00)
14      or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5) years or both, upon
15       the discretion of the court. In case the offender is a juridical person, the president, Secretary,
16      Treasurer and such other officers or persons responsible for the offense, shall be liable for the
17      penalty  of imprisonment.  If the  seller,  distributor  or  manufacturer  of the  injurious  baby
18      containing  added  sugar  is  a  foreigner,  he  shall  be  deported  after  service  of sentence  and
19      payment offlne without further deportation proceedings.
20                   SEC. 6. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
21       shall  initially  be  charged  to  the  appropriations  of  the  agencies  concerned  as  may  be
22      appropriated, under the cunent General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may
23      be necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
24       Act.
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1                   SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within sixty days (60) days from the
2      effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
3      effective implementation of this Act:  Provided, that the DOH may call upon any agency to
4      provide information or assistance in the drafting of the rules and regulations.
5                   SHC. 8. Separability clause. -If any part, section or provision of this Act is held
6      invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
7      effect.
8                   SEC. 9. Repealing clause. -All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
9      thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
10                    SEC.10. Effectivity clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
11      publication in the o/Jcz.cr/ Gc}ze//e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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13                    Approved,
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