SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 262 
Introduced by Sen. Manuel"Lito" M. LaRid 
, , 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Health issues in the Philippines face a double burden: the need to address 
malnutrition in children and vulnerable groups and the rising incidence of overweight, 
obesity, diet- and lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases ("NCDs"). The Food and 
Nutrition Research Institute has identified a rising incidence of obesity and NCDs in 
adults in recent years. 
One way to promote proper diet is by raising awareness as to the icalorie and 
nutritional content of'the foods consumed by the general public. While packaged foods 
are already required to disclose nutritional facts, meals sold thfough food 
establishments contain no such disclosure. The health conscious have to guess at the 
nutritional content of meals taken in restaurants. On the other hand, those who are less 
aware of the need for proper dieting are left unaware of the nutritional values that they 
intake. 
Fast food chains are the common resort of busy families who no longer devote 
time to preparing meals at home. Unfortunately, the most easily accessible sources of 
high-calorie and low-nutrition meals are fast food chains and restaurants. A trend 
towards larger portions and a marketing strategy that promotes such large portions as 
"normal" contribute to excessive caloric intake due to fast food meals. In fact, scientific 
research has shown that there is a strong causal relation between eating fast food and 
the prevalence of overweight incidence in a population. 
The proposed measure mandates the disclosure of calorie content and nutritional 
facts for all meals, food, and beverages sold in fast food chains. By so dOing, focus will 
be given to a primary instigator of obesity - fast food meals. The disclosure of caloric 
and nutritional content is intended to promote health awareness and proper dieting, 
particularly amongst adults who are prone to obesity and the development of NCDs. 
Thus, the undersigned sponsor urges the passage of the present measure. 
e><eO 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAP!.B 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
.JUL -2 ,1\9 :15 . 
SENATE 
2l?2 
S.B. No. ---"_~Q",,-,,,_ 
Introduced by Sen. Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE LISTING OF CALORIE CONTENT INFORMATION ON 
MENUS AND BOARDS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Menu Labeling Act 
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of 2013." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 15 of Article II of the Constitution 
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provides that the State shall protect and promote the right of health of the people and 
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instill health consciousness among them. The State recognizes the need to disclose 
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nutritional facts for food and beverages made available to the public in order to 
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sufficiently instill a sense of health consciousness in the citizenry. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, unless otherwise indicated: 
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(a) "Calorie content information" means the total number of calories per 
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standard menu item, as that item is usually prepared and offered for sale; 
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(b) "Nutritional information" includes, but is not limited to, all of the following, 
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per standard menu item: 
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a. Total number of calories 
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b. Total number of grams of carbohydrates 
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c. Total number of grams of saturated fat 
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d. Total number of milligrams of sodium 
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(c) "Menu" means a printed list or pictorial display of food or beverage items 
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offered for sale by a food establishment; 
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(d) "Menu board" means a posted list or pictorial display of food or beverage 
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items offered for sale by a food establishment, including a drive-through 
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menu board; 
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(e) "Display tag" means an identification card for food or beverages on display 
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in a display case and offered for sale by a food establishment; 
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(f) "Menu item" means a food or beverage item offered for sale by a food facility 
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through a menu, menu board, or display tag; and 
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(g) "Point of sale" means the location where a customer makes an order 
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(h) "Reasonable basis" means any reasonable means recognized by the Food and 
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Drug Administration of the Department of Health to determine nutritional 
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information, as well as calorie content information, for a standard menu item, 
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as usually prepared and offered for sale, including, but not limited to, 
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nutrient databases and laboratory analyses. 
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SEC. 4. Menu Labeling. - Covered establishments shall disclose in a clear and 
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conspicuous manner on their menus and menu boards the calorie content information, 
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which shall be displayed adjacent to the name of the standard menu item, so as to be 
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clearly associated with such item. In the case of display tags, the calorie content 
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information of the standard menu item identified on the display tag shall be stated 
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thereon. 
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SEC. 5. Nutritional Information. -
Covered establishments shall disclose 
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information stating the suggested daily caloric intake of the average person as well as 
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the nutritional information of each standard menu item. In this regard, establishments 
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shall disclose on all menus and menu boards, a prominent, clear and conspicuous 
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statement regarding: 
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(a) The suggested daily caloric intake, as specified by the Secretary of the 
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Department of Health through implementing rules and regulations to be 
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issued pursuant to this Act; and 
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(b) The availability of nutritional information for each standard menu item, upon 
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request. 
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SEC. 6. Self-service Food and Food on Display. - In the case of food sold at a 
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salad bar, buffet line, cafeteria line, or similar self-service facility, and for self-service 
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beverages or food that is on display and that is visible to customers, a food 
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establishment shall place adjacent to each food offered a sign that lists calories per 
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displayed food item or per serving. 
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SEC. 7. Covered Establishments. - All fast food chains and restaurants with not 
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less than five (5) branches shall comply with the menu labeling required under this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Noncompliance with Menu Labeling Requirement. - The following shall 
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be considered non-compliance with menu labeling: 
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a) The sale of any food or beverage item by covered establishments without the 
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required calorie content information, suggested daily calorie intake, and 
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availability of nutritional information displayed on the menu, menu board, or 
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display tag; 
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b) The sale of any food or beverage item by covered establishments without the 
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availability of the required nutritional information for all standard menu 
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items; 
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c) The declaration of calorie content information and nutritional information 
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without reasonable basis therefor; and 
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d) The misbranding or erroneous disclosure of calorie content information and 
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nutritional information of standard menu items. 
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SEC. 9. Penalties. - The DOH through the BFAD and in coordination: with other 
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concerned government agencies, after notice and hearing, shall impose any or all of the 
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following administrative sanctions in cases of noncompliance: 
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(a) Suspension of registration; and 
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(b) A fine of not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php300,000.00) for 
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the first violation; not more than Six Hundred Thousand Pesos 
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(Php600,000.00) for the second violation; and not more than One Million 
Pesos (Phpl,OOO,OOO.OO) for the third violation. 
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SEC. 10. Implementing Agency. -
The Department of Health (DOH) in 
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consultation with other concerned agencies, non-government organizations, private 
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sectors, and consumer groups involved in nutrition, shall promulgate rules and 
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regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from 
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approval of this Act. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
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rules, and regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any part of provision of this Act shall be held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall 
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continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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