EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO.
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ivn.117)
*19 JULll Air.31
RECEIVED w I.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE DISPLAY OF CALORIE AND OTHER 
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION IN MENUS OF FOOD SERVICE 
ESTABLISHMENTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the past decade, cardiovascular diseases have been one of the 
leading cause of mortality among Filipinos, which is largely attributed to an 
unhealthy lifestyle. In addition, an unhealthy lifestyle also contributes to an 
increase in body mass index, which in turn, increases the risk for non- 
communicable diseases. According to a 2017 report, there are approximately 
18 million Filipinos who are obese and overweight. In 2016, the Philippines 
spent between US$500 Million to US$1 Billion for obesity-related problems, 
which are largely due to a huge spike in the incidence of related non- 
communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular 
diseases and stroke.1
Thus, there is a need to create policies that would encourage people to 
have a healthier lifestyle and a mechanism to inform them of the calorie 
content and nutritional information of the food they take. With the pressure of 
work and the family, Filipinos often resort to eat out, whose food items usually 
have more calories, sodium and saturated fat.
1 2017, July 20. Obese Filipinos now ballooning. Retrieved from: https://businessmirror.com.Dh/2017/07/20/obese- 
filipinos-now-balloonino/ (date last accessed: July 7. 2019).


To address the problems of obesity and improper nutrition among 
Filipinos and to encourage them to have a healthier lifestyle, this bill requires 
the disclosure of calorie content in menus of food service establishments. 
Written nutritional information may also be provided to the customer upon 
request. This bill requires covered food establishments to prominently display 
this information so that customers will be able to make a more informed 
decision towards a proper and healthier lifestyle.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR iO E L VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 348
;'.4- 
■%(P ffic r of H r  r  f  - m - ;*
*19 JULll AIT-31
RECEIVfD BV
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE DISPLAY OF CALORIE AND OTHER 
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION IN MENUS OF FOOD SERVICE 
ESTABLISHMENTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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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 “Menu Labeling 
Act.”
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined:
a. 
Calorie content information refers the total number of calories per 
standard menu item, as that item is usually prepared and offered for 
sale;
b. 
Covered food establishment refers to any food establishment that is 
part of a group of fifteen (15) or more food service establishments doing 
business under common ownership or control, or as franchised outlets of 
a parent business, or that do business under the same name or that 
voluntarily register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be 
covered;
c. 
Food refers to a unit serving of ready-to-eat food or beverage for sale in 
a restaurant or food service establishment,
d. 
Food-on-display refers to food offered for sale that is visible to a 
customer before making selection, and needs no further preparation 
before consumption;


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e. 
Menu refers to a printed list or pictorial display of a food item or items, 
and their price(s), that are available for sale from a covered food service 
establishment and shall include menus distributed or provided outside of 
the establishment, specialty menus, such as drink and dessert menu, 
drive-thru and online menus;
f. 
Menu Board refers to any list or pictorial display of a food item or items 
and their price(s) posted in and visible within a covered food service 
establishment;
g. 
Standard Menu Item refers to any individual food item or combination of 
food items that is routinely listed on a menu or menu board, or routinely 
offered for sale by a covered food service establishment,
SEC. 3. Disclosure of Calorie and Nutritional Information. -  Covered food 
establishments shall disclose and display the calorie content information of 
each standard menu item on their menus and menu boards as usually 
prepared and sold to the public. The calorie content information must be 
prominently and distinctly displayed adjacent to the name or price of the menu 
item in a type size no smaller than that of the name or price of the menu item, 
whichever is smaller.
Food establishments offering self-service food and food-on-display shall post 
the nutrient content information of such food on a sign adjacent to such food.
In addition, menu and menu boards of all covered establishment must 
prominently display the following; “Additional nutrition information available 
upon request." Such statement must appear prominently on the bottom of the 
menu board and may also be placed on signs, posters, tray liners, counter 
cards, handouts, binders, kiosks, or computer, as appropriate.
The written nutritional information shall indicate the amount of each nutrient, 
including, but not limited to, the following;
a) 
Total fat;
b) 
Saturated fat;
c) 
Cholesterol;
d) 
Sodium;
e) 
Total carbohydrates;
f) 
Complex carbohydrates;
g) 
Sugars;
h) 
Dietary fiber; and
i) 
Total protein
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the mandatory disclosure and 
display of calorie and nutrition information as required under this Section shall 
not apply to custom orders prepared in a specific manner based on 
customer’s request, temporary menu item which appear in the establishment’s


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menu board for less than thirty (30) days per year, general use condiments, 
and foods that are part of a customary market test or temporary menu items.
SEC. 4. Calorie Content Information. -  The calorie content information of 
each standard menu item shall be expressed to the nearest five-calorie 
increment up to and including fifty (50) calories, to the nearest ten-calorie 
increment above fifty calories. For foods that have fewer than five (5) calories, 
the declaration may be expressed as zero (0).
SEC. 5. Transitory Period and Disclosure Compliance Certificate. -
Covered establishments shall have a period of one (1) year from the approval 
of this Act to comply with the requirements herein provided. Thereafter, all 
covered establishments must obtain a Nutritional Disclosure Compliance 
Certificate (NDCC) from the Department of Health (DOH). The NDCC shall be 
valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance and may be renewed at least 
thirty (30) days before its expiration. The DOH may refuse to renew the NDCC 
of a covered establishment in the event of violation or non-compliance of any 
provisions of this Act.
Failure of any restaurant of fast food chain establishment to secure a NDCC 
shall be a ground for the suspension or revocation of its license to operate.
SEC. 6. Penalties. -  DOH, after notice and hearing, shall impose a fine of not 
less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Two 
Hundred 
Fifty 
Thousand 
Pesos 
(P250,000.00) 
upon 
any 
covered 
establishment that fail to comply with the requirements under this Act, or that 
is found to have knowingly declared false or inaccurate nutrition information 
regarding the amount of calories or nutrients contained in each standard 
menu item.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the FDA, in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act or any part thereof 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions, as far as 
they are separable, shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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Circulation.
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Approved,