TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JULIO °6:16
S.B. No
SENATE
434
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROBIHITING PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF BABY FOOD 
FROM ADDING SUGAR ON THEIR PRODUCTS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution provides that " The State shall 
establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and undertake 
appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country's 
health needs and problems."
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking a ban on added sugars in baby 
foods for children aging from 0 to 36 months old due to its detrimental impact on the 
child's oral health. In addition, added sugar on baby foods put children at risk of 
developing a preference for sweet foods, which may lead to overweight and obesity- 
related diseases in adulthood.
The latest iteration of the Expanded National Nutrition Survey conducted in 
2022 by the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research 
Institute shows that around 27 million Filipinos are overweight and obese. For the past 
two decades, overweight and obesity among adults have almost doubled from 20.2% 
in 1998 to 36.6% in 2019. Similarly, the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity 
among adolescents have more than doubled from 4.9% in 2003 to 11.6% in 2018.


A recent study by the University of the Philippines found that young Filipinos 
are at a greater risk of obesity, due to the consumption of food that is energy-dense 
and nutrient-poor, exacerbated by growing urbanization and increased incomes.
The proposed bill seeks to ensure good nutrition, optimal child growth and 
development, and better health outcomes for children. To this end, the government, 
and agencies concerned shall implement a ban on added sugar in baby food. The 
producers/manufacturers shall take responsibility to remove added sugar and look for 
healthier alternatives in their baby food products.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill is 
necessary.
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
2b JULIO ?6:16
S.B. No
SENATE434
iv:'
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROBIHITING PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF BABY FOOD 
FROM ADDING SUGAR ON THEIR PRODUCTS,
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. Tide. - 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:
a) 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.
b) Older infant - refers to a person aged six (6) to twelve (12) months old.
c) Producer/Manufacturer- refers to one who produces imports, trades in, or 
distributes baby food.
d) Regulatory requirements - refers to all applicable laws, rules, 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 twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) 
months old.
SEC. 3. Ban On Added Sugar in Baby Food. - No person or entity shall 
manufacture, sell, import, or distribute in commerce any baby food containing added 
sugar.


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The imposition of no-added sugar baby food shaii not prejudice the quaiity and 
safety of their food products for children. All baby food shall be labeled in accordance 
with the requirements prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
SEC. 4. Public Information. - The benefits and rationaie of the use of no added 
sugar baby food shall be adequately disseminated and promoted through organized, 
systematic, and nationwide information campaign which shall involve major sectors of 
society to be spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation and 
coordination with the local government units (LGUs) and other agencies concerned.
SEC. 5. Penalties for Violation. - Whenever it is found that a baby food contains 
added sugar, the DOH shaii, after due notice and hearing, make the appropriate order 
for its recaii, prohibition, or seizure from pubiic sale or distribution. Any person natural 
or juridical, who shall violate Section 3 of this Act shall be subject to a fine not less 
than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) or by imprisonment of not iess than one (1) year 
but not more than five (5) years or both, upon the discretion of the court.
In case the offender is a juridical person, the President, Secretary, Treasurer, 
and such other officers or persons responsible for the offense, shall be liable for the 
penalty of imprisonment. If the seller, distributor or manufacturer of the injurious baby 
containing added sugar is a foreigner, he shaii be deported after service of sentence 
and payment of fine without further deportation proceedings.
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shaii initialiy be charged to the appropriations of the agencies concerned as may 
be appropriated, under the current Generai Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such 
amount as may be necessary for its impiementation shaii be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and FDA shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective impiementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, ali other provisions not affected thereby shaii remain valid.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Ali iaws, decrees, executive orders, ruies and 
regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repeaied, 
amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days 
after its pubiication in the Officiai Gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of general 
circulation, whichever is earlier.
Approved,