Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 819 
INTRODUCED BY REP. REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic 
respiratory diseases account for 68% of the total deaths in the Philippines.1 Obesity has been 
identified as a key risk factor for these NCDs.2 In the Philippines, the prevalence of overweight 
and obesity among adolescents has increased from 4.9% in 2003 to 11.6% in 2018,3  with one out 
of every seven children aged 5 to 19 classified as overweight or obese4. Without interventions,  
more than 30% of Filipino adolescents are estimated to fall into this category by 2030.5 
The obesogenic environment within the Philippines prevents Filipinos, especially children, from 
making healthy choices. 6  Marketing strategies that disproportionately target children7—who are 
especially vulnerable to the influence of advertising and nutritional claims—impact their diets and 
health.8 Nutrition information on food labels is often difficult to access as they are printed on the 
back of product packaging, and even more difficult to understand—especially among consumers 
from lower-income households.9 
It is the State’s duty to “protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them.10” The State must protect and promote the right of every Filipino to 
the enjoyment of the “highest attainable standard of health,”11 and defend the right of children to 
proper care and nutrition, and “special protection from conditions that are prejudicial to their 
1 WHO (2019). Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in the Philippines: The case for investment”, p. 1. 
Available at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/wpro---documents/countries/philippines/reports/prevention-and-
control-of-noncommunicable-diseases-in-the-philippines---the-case-for-investment.pdf (last accessed January 23, 2024). 
2 Id. at p. 4. 
3 Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (2021). Expanded National Nutrition 
Survey 2021.  UNICEF, Prevention of Overweight and Obesity in Children: Landscape Analysis and Priority Actions 
Philippines 
Brief, 
available 
at 
https://www.unicef.org/eap/media/8221/file/Prevention%20of%20Overweight%20and%20Obesity%20in%20Children:.pd
f 
4 Id. 
5 UNICEF (2022). Everybody Needs to Act to Curb Obesity. Available at https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-
releases/everybody-needs-act-curb-obesity (last accessed January 23, 2024). 
6 UNICEF (2021). Prevention of Overweight and Obesity in Children: Landscape Analysis and Priority Actions Philippines 
Brief. 
Available 
at 
https://www.unicef.org/eap/media/8221/file/Prevention%20of%20Overweight%20and%20Obesity%20in%20Children:.pd
f (last accessed January 23, 2024). 
7  Research on children's exposure to television advertisements indicates that high-sugar, high-salt, and high-fat foods are 
disproportionately more promoted than healthier alternatives during child-viewing hours.  See FoodAct Asia (PH) Policy 
Brief (2022). Tackling the Obesity Challenge:  Urgent Steps to Regulate TV Food Marketing in the Philippines. 
8 UNICEF (2021). Marketing of Unhealthy Foods and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Children. Available at 
https://www.unicef.org/media/116691/file/Marketing%20restrictions.pdf (last accessed January 23, 2024). 
9 Sinclair, et al. (2013). Sociodemographic differences in the comprehension of nutritional labels on food products. 
10 Philippine Constitution, art. II (15). 
11 Convention on the Rights of the Child, art. 24(1). 
July 1, 2025
1:48 pm


development.”12 In meeting these duties, the State must strive to create a healthy environment that 
enables Filipinos, especially children, to make healthy food choices.  
This proposed measure aims to address the foregoing issues, and fulfil the above-mentioned duties 
of the State, by: 
(1) Introducing front-of-pack warning labels to help Filipinos avoid food that exceed
prescribed thresholds for energy, fat, sodium, and sugar; and
(2) Regulating marketing on various media channels and in locations frequented by children
to minimize the power of, and reduce the exposure of children to, marketing of food that
exceed prescribed thresholds for energy, fat, sodium, and sugar.
Similar policies in other countries have shown promising results, with front-of-pack labels having 
been proven to reduce purchases of unhealthy food and beverages13 and marketing restrictions 
leading to a significant decrease in children's exposure to unhealthy food and beverage 
advertising.14 
The proposed measure aligns with our shared vision of creating a Healthy Pilipinas where 
Filipinos can lead healthy lives. Thus, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.  
REP. REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
Second District, Samar 
12 Philippine Constitution, art. XV (3). 
13 UNICEF (2021). Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling. Available at https://www.unicef.org/media/116686/file/Front-of-
Pack%20Nutrition%20Labelling%20(FOPNL).pdf (last accessed January 23, 2024). 
14 UNICEF (2021). Marketing of Unhealthy Foods and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Childre. Available at 
https://www.unicef.org/media/ 116691/file/Marketing%20restrictions.pdf (last accessed January 23, 2024). 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 819 
INTRODUCED BY REP. REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
AN ACT TO CREATE A HEALTHY FOOD MARKETING ENVIRONMENT BY 
REQUIRING FRONT-OF-PACKAGE WARNING LABELS FOR FOOD HIGH IN FAT, 
SODIUM, OR SUGAR AND REGULATING THE MARKETING OF SUCH FOOD TO 
CHILDREN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I. 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short title. This Act shall be known as the “Healthy Food Marketing Environment Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of policy. It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health 
of all Filipinos, and instill health consciousness among them. It is likewise the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right of every child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to 
defend their right to proper care and nutrition, which includes the right to healthy environments.  
The State therefore recognizes the need to enable all Filipinos to make informed food choices and avoid 
food and beverages that are harmful to one’s health in line with its policy to protect consumers from trade 
malpractices and substandard or hazardous food products. 
The State also recognizes the urgent need to protect children from obesogenic food environments that 
promote the sale and marketing of unhealthy food and beverages, such as foods high in saturated and trans 
fat, sodium, and sugar.  
SECTION 3. Objective. This Act aims to: 
a.
Guide the population in making informed food purchases and discourage Filipinos—especially
children—from consuming food containing energy, fat, sodium, and sugar in excess of the
prescribed maximum thresholds; and
b.
Minimize the power of, and reduce the exposure of children to, marketing of food and
beverages containing energy, fat, sodium and sugar in excess of the prescribed maximum
thresholds.
SECTION 4. Definition of terms. As used in this Act: 
a.
“Breastmilk substitutes” refers to any food being marketed or otherwise represented as a
partial or total replacement for breastmilk, whether or not suitable for that purpose;15
b.
“Calories” refer to the unit of measurement used to determine the amount of energy that a
food provides;
c.
“Child” refers to a person aged under 18 years old.
15 National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplements and Other Related Products, Executive 
Order No. 51, § 4(a) (1986). 


 
d. 
“Child-directed marketing” refers to all marketing targeted to children, which includes, but 
is not limited to, marketing that uses: images, sounds or language designed to appeal to 
children such as cartoon characters, personalities or celebrities that target or address children 
in their content (licensed or unlicensed), children actors or voices, or references to school or 
play; toys or book giveaways, competitions or promotional giveaways, buy-one-take one, 
discounts, and pricing bundle strategies; themes designed to attract children (e.g. fantasy or 
adventure);  games or activities that are likely to be popular with children; or other similar or 
analogous appeals. Child-directed marketing also includes marketing that is directed to a 
parent (or another adult) where the end-consumer is a child. 
e. 
“Child-centered settings” refers to any location that is frequented by families and children 
because of activities, attractions, or infrastructure targeted or directed to children, including 
but not limited to schools, educational establishments, learning institutions, playgrounds, 
amusement parks, or other service centers or places frequented by families and children, and 
other similar and analogous settings.  
f. 
“Cross-border marketing” refers to marketing which originates within the territory of the 
Philippines and enters or could be received in another territory, as well as that which originates 
outside the territory of the Philippines and is received or accessible within the territory. 
g. 
“Complementary nutritional information” refers to any information that may state, suggest, 
or imply that a food or beverage possesses particular nutritional properties, especially, but not 
limited to its energy value, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber content, critical nutrients, 
vitamins, minerals, including assertions of fortification. 
h. 
“Distributor” refers to any person to whom a prepackaged food product is delivered or sold 
for purposes of distribution in commerce. Distributors include importers, exporters, traders, or 
wholesalers. 
i. 
“Educational establishment” refers to any establishment, including but not limited to 
schools, learning institutions, play schools, sports camps, youth development facilities, and 
other places, where a child as defined in this Act engages in activities that contribute to their 
overall growth and development through any means of instruction. 
j. 
“Food and beverages” means food and food products as defined by the FDA Act of 2009 or 
Republic Act No. 9711, provided that any reference to “food” in this Act means “food and 
beverages”. 
k. 
“Food and beverage industry” means manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and importers 
of prepackaged food required to have a warning label defined in this Act. 
l. 
“Front-of-package warning label (FOPWL)” refers to the supplementary nutrition 
information on the main face of the packaging of prepackaged food to inform consumers when 
a product contains excessive amounts of nutrients of concern;16 
m. 
“Importer” means the consignee or the Philippine agent or representative of a foreign owner 
or consignee of raw materials, ingredients, and/or finished prepackaged food at the time of 
such entry of such article in the Philippines. 
n. 
“Health claim” means any representation or combination of representations that creates an 
impression that a product is beneficial for health and well-being. 
o. 
“Main face” refers to the part of the packaging that is intended to be displayed, where the 
sales name and the brand or logo, if any, are recorded in their most relevant forms. 
p. 
“Manufacturer” means a person who makes, mixes, cooks, packs, combines packaging or 
modifies packaging of prepackaged food required to have a warning label under this Act. This 
shall include any person who attaches one's own brand name to a prepackaged food product 
manufactured, assembled, or processed for them. 
q. 
“Marketing” means any form of commercial communication of messages that are designed 
to, or have the effect or likely effect of, increasing the recognition, appeal and/or consumption 
of particular products and services, whether directly or indirectly. It includes but is not limited 
to acts of advertising and promotions of a product or service including the advertising of 
corporate social responsibility initiatives, and sponsorships.17  
r. 
“Message” means the presentation of letters, images, artificial marks, photographs, motion 
pictures, light, sound, or any other action that enables the general public to comprehend the 
conveyed meaning. 
 
16 WHO, GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND FRAMEWORK MANUAL FOR FRONT-OF-PACK LABELLING FOR PROMOTING HEALTHY DIETS 
11 (2019); FAO& WHO, CODEX ALIMENTARIUS (INTERNATIONAL FOOD STANDARDS) 11 CXG 2-1985 (2021); PAHO, 
FRONT-OF-PACKAGE LABELING (AS A POLICY TOOL FOR THE PREVENTION OF NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN THE 
AMERICAS) 9 (2020). 
17 ASEAN and UNICEF (2022), [DRAFT] Minimum standards and guidelines on actions to protect children from the 
harmful impact of marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the ASEAN region. 


 
s. 
“Micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME)” refers to food business operators as 
defined within the classification of industries by the Department of Trade and Industry. 
t. 
“Nutrient” refer to any chemical substance normally consumed as a component of a food that: 
(1) provides energy; and/or (2) is necessary for, or contributes to the growth, development, 
and maintenance of health and life; and/or (3) the absence of which will cause characteristic 
chemical or physiological changes to occur; 
u. 
“Nutrient Profile Model” refers to a tool used to classify or rank prepackaged or processed 
food according to their nutritional composition for reasons related to the prevention of disease 
and the promotion of health; 
v. 
“Nutrients of concern” refer to those nutrients that when ingested above the maximum values 
are considered as risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases; these include but 
are not limited to sugars, sodium, saturated fats, total fats, and calories.18 
w. 
“Nutrition claim” means any representation which states, suggests or implies that a food has 
particular nutritional properties including but not limited to the energy value and to the content 
of protein, fat and carbohydrates, as well as the content of vitamins and minerals. Provided, 
that (1) the mention of substances in the list of ingredients; (2) the mention of nutrients as a 
mandatory part of nutrition labelling; (3) quantitative or qualitative declaration of certain 
nutrients or ingredients on the label if required by national legislation do not constitute 
nutrition claims.19 
x. 
“Point-of-sale” refers to a kiosk, counter, cashier, or any specific, definite, and limited area, 
where an individual can purchase or otherwise obtain prepackaged food. 
y. 
“Prepackaged food” refer to processed food prepared in advance and placed in a container, 
labelled and ready for sale or distribution, or for catering purposes. 
z. 
“Public event” means any activity that is open for public access and participation, regardless 
of the identity of the organizer or coordinator of such activity. It includes but is not limited to 
events such as sporting, music, and recreation events that target and attract children. 
aa. 
“Public space” means a place accessible to the general public or a place for collective use, 
regardless of ownership or right to access. 
bb. 
“Public transport” means any vehicle used for carriage of members of the public, usually for 
reward or commercial gain, including taxis and vehicles for hire. 
cc. 
“Saturated fatty acid (SFA)” refers to fatty acids that contain the maximum number of 
hydrogens possible, and no carbon-carbon double bonds. Saturated fatty acids are classified as 
short chain (1-5 carbons), medium chain (6-12 carbons), and long chain (13-21 carbons) and 
very long chain (contains 22 and more carbons) according to the carbon chain length; 
dd. 
“Sodium” refers to a chemical element that exists naturally in food, associated with other 
molecular residues or atoms as an ionic bond, forming chemical salts. It is of great importance 
since it helps to maintain the water and base acid balance of any organism, constituting its 
most common compound, sodium chloride or what is usually called table salt. Likewise, we 
find other sodium salts that are of industrial origin, such as monosodium glutamate (flavor 
enhancer); benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate (acidity regulators and 
preservatives); sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate (acidity regulator); sodium erythorbate 
(antioxidant), among others. One gram of 'table salt' contains 400mg of sodium (1 gram of 
sodium is equivalent to 2.5 grams of table salt); 
ee. 
“Sponsorship” means any form of contribution to any event, activity or individual with the 
aim, effect or likely effect of promoting a food or beverage product either directly or 
indirectly.20 
ff. 
“Sugar” refers to sucrose, fructose, or glucose obtained from the industrial processing of sugar 
cane, sugar beet, hard yellow corn, and their mixtures, among others, in the form of a 
crystallized solid product or syrup used as an ingredient in food products; 
gg. 
“Total fat” refers to the total amount of fat in a food product. This includes the saturated fat, 
trans-fat, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat in a food product;  
hh. 
“Trans fatty acid (TFA)” refers to all fatty acids with a double bond in the trans 
configuration, regardless of whether they are produced industrially or come from ruminant 
sources. Naturally occurring trans fats, like those coming from ruminant sources (e.g., cow, 
goat, carabao, lamb, deer, etc.) are perfectly safe and healthy for humans. Industrially produced 
trans fats, both coming from hydrogenation and those formed through high heat, are the ones 
that are toxic and should be removed from the food supply. 
 
18 Norma Oficial Mexicana 051/2020 [NOM 051/2020], Art. 3.38 (2020) (Mexico). 
19 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations & World Health Organization, Codex Alimentarius: 
International Food Standards, Guidelines on Nutrition Labeling as of 2021. 
20 ASEAN and UNICEF (2022), [DRAFT] Minimum standards and guidelines on actions to protect children from the 
harmful impact of marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the ASEAN region. 


 
 
SECTION 5. General rule on statutory construction. This Act shall be construed strictly in favor of 
improving the health of Filipinos, especially children, and decreasing the rate of obesity and overweight 
among them. Any doubt in the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be resolved in favor of the 
State policy to protect public health. 
 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as limiting the powers of local government units (LGUs) under the 
general welfare clause of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code. 
  
 
ARTICLE II. 
MAXIMUM VALUES OF NUTRIENTS OF CONCERN IN 
PREPACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS 
 
SECTION 6. Maximum values of nutrients of concern for prepackaged food. The Department of 
Health (DOH) shall develop or adopt a nutrient profile model (NPM) to determine the maximum values of 
energy, sugar, sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and other nutrients for prepackaged food. Pending the 
development of a local NPM, the WHO Nutrient Profile Model for South-East Asia Region shall be used 
as the basis for such maximum values. The DOH may coordinate with the Department of Science and 
Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in developing an NPM for the 
Philippines.  
 
 
ARTICLE III. 
FRONT-OF-PACKAGE WARNING LABELS 
 
SECTION 7. Mandatory front-of-package warning labels. No person shall sell, manufacture, import, 
or distribute prepackaged food without a front-of-package warning label as prescribed in this Act, when the 
final composition of the product contains nutrients of concern that exceed the maximum values prescribed 
under Section 6 of this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Form, size, placement, and characteristics of the warning label.  
a. 
The warning label shall be displayed in a manner prescribed by the FDA, in accordance with 
the following guidelines: 
i. 
The packaging must include one warning label for each nutrient of concern in excess of 
prescribed values, namely:  
• 
“HIGH IN SUGAR” 
• 
“HIGH IN SODIUM” 
• 
“HIGH IN SATURATED FAT” 
• 
“HIGH IN TOTAL FAT” 
If the product’s calories is in excess of the prescribed values the package must include 
the following warning label: 
• 
“HIGH IN CALORIES” 
ii. 
If the product contains sweeteners, the package must include the following warning 
label:  
• 
“CONTAINS SWEETENERS, NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN”. 
iii. 
The warning label shall have the form of black octagons with a white edge and capital 
letters; 
iv. 
The size of each warning label shall never be less than five percent (5%) of the total 
area of the main face of the packaging; 
v. 
The warning label shall form part of the packaging and its full visibility and integrity 
must not be susceptible to being damaged, concealed, obstructed or changed by any 
package design, feature, or mechanism, or covered by any other markings; 
vi. 
The warning label must be located on the top right edge of the product’s main face. If 
the shape of the product is round or cylindrical, it must be on the top center of the main 
face. For products in which the main face of the packaging is equal to or less than ten 
(10) square centimeters, it will contain a single octagon that will show inside of it how 
many nutrients of concern above the thresholds the product has.  The warning label shall 
be 15% of the total area of the front of the package. 
vii. 
If the food or beverage has more than one warning label, they must be placed adjacent 
to each other on the product’s main face. 
viii. 
For packages with multiple products, the outer packaging, as well as each individual 
package inside must also include the warning label. 
 


 
The provisions established in this Section are applied in addition to the existing rules and regulations 
governing the labeling of prepackaged food distributed in the Philippines. In addition, the FDA is 
encouraged to release guidelines pertaining to the placement of products at the point of sale. 
 
SECTION 9. Prohibition against misleading claims. It is absolutely prohibited for all prepackaged food 
required to have a warning label under Section 7 of this Act to contain:  
a. 
Complementary nutritional information;  
b. 
Logotypes or phrases stating the sponsorship or endorsements of scientific societies or civil 
associations; and 
c. 
Any other health and nutrition claim. 
 
SECTION 10. Misbranded. A violation under Sections 7, 8, or 9 of this Act shall render the product 
misbranded under Republic Act No. 9711. Pursuant to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 3720 as amended 
by Republic Act No. 9711, the following acts are prohibited: 
a. 
The manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-
consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of any food that is adulterated, 
unregistered or misbranded; 
b. 
The adulteration or misbranding of any food. 
 
SECTION 11. Exemptions. Prepackaged food for special therapeutic dietary uses that are formulated for 
a particular physiological condition or as partial replacement for meals, and culinary ingredients which 
typically consist of only one nutrient in high purity (such as cooking oils, table sugars, common table salt, 
etc.) shall follow their respective labeling requirements and shall be exempted from the obligation to 
incorporate a nutritional warning label. Breastmilk substitutes shall likewise be exempted from this Act and 
shall follow the guidelines promulgated by Executive Order No. 51, series of 1986, its implementing rules 
and regulations and other pertinent regulations. 
 
 
ARTICLE IV. 
RESTRICTIONS ON THE MARKETING OF PREPACKAGED FOOD 
PRODUCTS REQUIRED TO HAVE A WARNING LABEL 
 
SECTION 12. Minimizing the power of child-directed marketing.  
a. 
It is absolutely prohibited to employ child-directed marketing or to initiate, produce, publish, 
broadcast, or disseminate any marketing that employ child-directed marketing techniques for 
all prepackaged food required to have a warning label under Section 7 of this Act. 
b. 
All persons who sell, manufacture, distribute, or import prepackaged food that are required to 
have a warning label are likewise prohibited from engaging in sponsorship as defined in this 
Act. This prohibition shall also apply to any person who receives or facilitates such 
sponsorship, including but not limited to, the media or event organizer, venue owner, team 
owner, sportsperson, celebrity, artist, or other performer. 
c. 
The DOH is hereby authorized to identify and regularly publish a schedule of forms, methods, 
and means of marketing that are considered child-directed marketing under this Act, and other 
similar and analogous appeals to child-directed marketing techniques for the guidance of 
relevant stakeholders.  
 
SECTION 13. Reducing exposure of children to the marketing of prepackaged food required to have a 
warning label. It is absolutely prohibited to market prepackaged food required to have a warning label 
under Section 7 of this Act in the following settings:  
a. 
In and within 250 meters from any point of the perimeter of child-centered settings; and 
b. 
Between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for all programs, commercials, and films shown in television  
with a rating other than R-18 by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board 
(MTRCB). 
c. 
Between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for all programs and commercials broadcast on radio. 
 
SECTION 14. When communication is not considered marketing. The following exhaustive list of 
communications and actions shall not be considered marketing of prepackaged food required to have a 
warning label under Section 7 of this Act even if likely to have an incidental promotional effect, provided 
they are reported to the DOH as required under Section 15 of this Act: 
a. 
Display of brand name, product name, and/or manufacturer’s name on prepackaged food 
product packaging, without any marketing features on the package; 


 
b. 
Dissemination or reporting of information on company practices that do not involve 
contributions to other parties, where required for necessary business administration or for 
mandated corporate reporting; 
c. 
Legitimate journalistic, artistic, or academic expression of food and beverage content and 
genuine social or political commentary, authored or created by named individuals engaged in 
journalism, art, or the academe, for which no payment or any other consideration is made by 
the food and beverage industry; 
d. 
Product information provided to entities within the food and beverage industry trade, with 
access only to persons/entities who need the information; and 
e.        Manufacturers and distributors’ newsletters destined for distribution within the food and 
beverage industry and related business partners. 
 
SECTION 15. Promoting transparency in food and beverage marketing. Within two (2) years from the 
date of effectivity of this Act, large enterprises (as defined by the Department of Trade of Industry) in the 
food and beverage industry shall submit an annual report  to the Department of Health – Health Promotion 
Bureau (HPB), copy furnishing the  FDA-CFRR, detailing all expenditures relating to the marketing of 
prepackaged food required to have a warning label under Section 7 of this Act The DOH-HPB shall 
prescribe the manner and form of such report and shall provide sanctions for non-compliance. 
 
 
ARTICLE V. 
IMPLEMENTATION 
 
SECTION 16. Lead agency. The DOH shall oversee and ensure the implementation of the provisions of 
this Act in coordination with the agencies that shall comprise the inter-agency task force in Section 17 of 
this Act, and shall have the power to issue other policies, rules, regulations, and standards for such 
implementation. In line with this mandate, the DOH shall convene and lead the inter-agency task force in 
Section 17 for the implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 17. National Task Force for a Healthy Food Marketing Environment.  To ensure inter-
agency coherence and consistency in the implementation of Articles III and IV of this Act, a National 
Task Force (NTF) for a Healthy Food Marketing Environment is hereby created.  
 
a. 
The NTF shall be composed of the following persons and/or heads of the following offices, to 
wit: 
 
DOH  
Chairperson 
FDA  
Vice Chairperson 
CWC  
Vice Chairperson  
Department of Education (DepEd) 
Member 
Department of Trade and Industry 
Member 
Department of the Interior and Local Government 
Member 
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 
Member 
Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council 
Member 
National Council for Children's Television 
Member 
 
The Department Secretaries or Chairpersons may designate permanent and alternate authorized 
representatives to the NTF. 
 
b. 
The NTF shall: 
 
i. 
Coordinate and align programs, strategies, and activities to enforce the provisions of 
this Act, as applicable; 
ii. 
Monitor and evaluate implementation of this Act; 
iii. 
Develop and regularly implement a nationwide social and behavior change 
communication (SBCC) campaign to promote the consumption of healthy food and 
beverages, increase health and nutrition literacy among Filipinos, emphasize the risks 
of overconsuming foods that are high in fats, sodium, and sugar, and discourage the 
consumption of prepackaged food required to have a warning label; and 
iv. 
Develop and implement programs and activities to build the capacity of the NTF 
members to fulfil their mandates and functions under this Act. 
 


 
c. 
The NTF may, as necessary, coordinate and collaborate with other government agencies, civil 
society and non-government organizations, and individual experts that have relevant mandates 
and/or expertise that may be useful to accomplish its functions under this Act, provided, that 
Sections 23 and 24 of this Act are strictly complied with. 
 
SECTION 18. Powers and functions of the members of the National Task Force for a Health Food 
Marketing Environment. 
 
a. 
The DOH shall: 
i. 
Regularly convene the NTF as chairperson and coordinate with its members to develop 
and implement strategies and activities to enforce the provisions of this Act;  
ii. 
Regularly publish a schedule of forms, methods, and means of marketing that are 
considered child-directed marketing as defined under this Act, and other similar and 
analogous appeals to child-directed marketing techniques; 
iii. 
Coordinate with the FDA, ECCD, DTI-CFRR, and LGUs, as applicable, to enforce the 
marketing prohibitions in and within 250 meters from any point of the perimeter of 
child-centered settings under Section 13(a) of this Act; 
iv. 
Identify other child-centered settings as defined under this Act, in coordination with the 
Department of Education and ECCD Council; 
v. 
Develop guidelines to enforce the prohibitions under Section 13(a) of this Act, in 
coordination with the FDA and CWC; 
vi. 
Develop and implement programs, strategies, and activities to promote healthy food and 
beverages, in coordination with the DILG for local implementation under Section 19 of 
this Act and with the DepEd for implementation within schools; 
vii. 
Implement SBCC strategies and activities to promote the consumption of healthy food 
and beverages among Filipinos pursuant to Section 17(b)(iii) of this Act; 
i. 
Oversee the development of programs and activities to build the capacity of the NTF 
members to fulfil their mandates and functions under this Act in accordance with 
Section, in coordination with the NTF members and other relevant stakeholders; 
 
b. 
The FDA, through the Center for Food Regulation and Research shall: 
i. 
Assist the DOH in convening the NTF, as vice chairperson; 
ii. 
Enforce the prohibitions relating to warning labels under Section 7, 8, and 9 of this Act; 
iii. 
Develop guidelines to prescribe procedures and requirements for record-keeping of food 
and beverage manufacturers to comply with this Act; 
iv. 
Enforce compliance with Sections 7, 8, 9, and 12 of this Act;  
v. 
Coordinate with the DOH to develop guidelines to enforce the prohibitions under 
Section 13(a) of this Act; 
vi. 
Implement SBCC strategies and activities to promote the consumption of healthy food 
and beverages among Filipinos pursuant to Section 17(b)(iii) of this Act; 
 
c. 
The CWC shall: 
i. 
Assist the DOH in convening the NTF, as vice chairperson; 
ii. 
Coordinate with the DOH to develop guidelines to enforce the prohibitions under 
Section 13(a) of this Act; 
iii. 
Implement SBCC strategies and activities to promote the consumption of healthy food 
and beverages among Filipinos pursuant to Section 17(b)(iii) of this Act, especially for 
children; 
 
d. 
The DepEd shall: 
i. 
Coordinate with schools and local government units to enforce the marketing 
prohibitions in and within 250 meters from any point of the perimeter of child-centered 
settings under Section 13(a) of this Act; 
ii. 
Implement SBCC strategies and activities to promote the consumption of healthy food 
and beverages among Filipinos pursuant to Section 17(b)(iii) of this Act, within schools, 
such as but not limited to developing curriculum materials on food marketing to 
children, as part of the media and information literacy subject, and nutritional warnings. 
 
e. 
The DTI shall: 
i. 
Enforce prohibitions against child-directed marketing through sponsorship under 
Section 12(b) of this Act, provided that when the violation occurs in and within 250 


 
meters from any point of the perimeter of child-centered settings, Section 13 shall apply 
and be enforced by the FDA , ECCD, and LGUs, as applicable; 
ii. 
Enforce the marketing prohibitions for broadcast radio under Section 13(c) of this Act; 
iii. 
Support LGUs to enact and implement ordinances or executive orders under Section 19 
of this Act; 
 
f. 
The DILG shall: 
i. 
Support LGUs to enact and implement ordinances or executive orders under Section 19 
of this Act; 
 
g. 
The LTFRB shall: 
i. 
Enforce prohibitions against child-directed marketing under Section 12 of this Act in 
public utility vehicles; 
 
h. 
The ECCD Council shall: 
i. 
Enforce the marketing prohibitions in and within 250 meters from any point of the 
perimeter of child-centered settings under Section 13(a) of this Act, in coordination with 
the DOH; 
ii. 
Coordinate with the DOH for the identification of other child-centered settings as 
defined under this Act; and 
 
i. 
The NCCT shall: 
i. 
Enforce the marketing prohibitions for broadcast television under Section 13(b) of this 
Act. 
  
SECTION 19. Local implementation.  
a. 
LGUs, through appropriate issuances such as ordinances or executive orders, shall establish 
mechanisms to enforce the provisions under Sections 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13(a) of this Act, within 
their jurisdictions and shall impose penalties for violations thereof. For this purpose, local 
health boards  (LHBs) and local councils for the protection of children (LCPCs) shall regularly 
monitor the compliance of LGUs with the provisions of this Act. 
b. 
All LGUs are enjoined to form Local Task Forces for Healthy Food Marketing Environment 
to implement the provisions of this Act, and shall mobilize local law enforcement to apprehend 
violators of this Act and to institute the appropriate criminal proceedings therefor. Such task 
forces shall be led by a local office with expertise on childhood nutrition and/or health 
promotion, and shall include youth and civil society representation, which representation shall 
strictly comply with Sections 23 and 24 of this Act. The LTF shall submit reports to the NTF 
of any prohibited marketing herein denied, removed, disabled, or acted upon, as well as 
complaints received from individuals or organizations, annually beginning from the 
implementation of the prohibitions of this Act. 
c. 
LGUs may mobilize the Special Health Fund under Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal 
Healthcare Act, among other resources available, to implement local projects, programs, and 
activities consistent with this Act. 
 
SECTION 20. Role of the Ad Standards Council. The Ad Standards Council (ASC) shall revise its 
standards, guidelines, codes of ethics, and other rules and regulations in compliance with the provisions of 
this Act, no later than one (1) year from its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 21. Inspection powers and record keeping. The FDA through its registered agents shall have 
the power to inspect the premises and records of manufacturers and distributors to determine compliance 
with the provisions of Sections 7, 8, 9, or 12 of this Act. The FDA shall develop guidelines to prescribe 
procedures and requirements for record-keeping.  
 
SECTION 22. Compliance by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The DTI, in 
coordination with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall develop and implement 
programs to assist micro, small, and medium-sized food business operators of prepackaged food covered 
by this Act.  
 
SECTION 23. Policy against industry interference. Government, including institutions and 
instrumentalities of the State at the national and sub-national levels and to persons working in government 
or engaged by government to work on its behalf, shall ensure that policy setting and implementation of laws 


 
that ultimately aim to promote the right to health of all Filipinos, especially children, are protected from the 
commercial and other vested interests of the food and beverage industry.  
 
SECTION 24. Declaration against conflict of interest. All representatives of government agencies and 
organizations, including civil society, non-government, grassroots, and international organizations, that 
take any part, directly or indirectly, in the setting and implementing  of policies and measures that are part 
of the strategic framework of measures to reduce overweight and obesity shall be required to fully 
accomplish a signed declaration under oath prepared by the DOH that states, among others, that they are 
not affiliated with the food and beverage industry, and  that they do not act on such industry’s behalf or 
interests. The signed and notarized copy of such declarations shall be made available to the public primarily 
via the DOH website and other means to readily access such information. 
 
SECTION 25. Multisectoral coordination and civil society participation for enforcement, monitoring 
and surveillance.  
 
a. 
The State recognizes the role of civil society organizations and the private sector in promoting 
public health. The NTF members in Section 17 herein may engage civil society organizations 
and the private sector, as long as they are not affiliated or related with the food and beverage 
industry and have signed a declaration against conflict of interest described in Section 24, to 
provide technical assistance in implementing and monitoring the provisions of this Act. The 
DOH shall develop and implement programs to enable citizen participation in compliance with 
this Act.  
b. 
Any citizen or civil society, non-government, and grassroots organization is hereby authorized 
to file an appropriate civil, criminal, or administrative action in the proper courts or 
administrative body against any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the 
performance of a responsibility specifically enjoined by this Act and its implementing rules 
and regulations, or against any member of the food and beverage industry, including persons 
working on their behalf, who violates any provision of this Act and its implementing rules and 
regulations. The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees and shall 
exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the issuance of preliminary 
injunction. In the event that the plaintiff shall prevail,  the court shall award reasonable 
attorney’s fees, moral damages, and litigation costs as appropriate. The administrative, civil, 
and criminal actions allowed under this paragraph shall be cumulative and shall not preclude 
any other person from filing a similar action. 
c. 
The DOH shall develop and publicize mechanisms for filing anonymous complaints, including  
the provision of hotlines and whistleblower complaints, to encourage citizen participation in 
the compliance monitoring and surveillance of this Act. 
 
SECTION 26. International cooperation and provision on technical and financial assistance. 
a. 
The State recognizes that international and regional cooperation is an important component of 
regulating cross-border marketing of prepackaged food required to have a warning label.  
b. 
For this purpose, NTF members may seek and receive technical and/or financial assistance 
from international organizations, except those that belong to or are affiliated with the food and 
beverage industry as defined herein, for the purpose of implementing the provisions or 
pursuing the objectives of this Act, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations, provided 
that, Sections 23 and 24 of this Act are strictly complied with. 
 
 
ARTICLE VI. 
PENALTIES 
 
SECTION 27. Penalties. The following penalties shall be imposed for each violation of the prohibitions 
in this Act: 
 
a. 
For violations of Sections 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13 of this Act, the following penalties shall be 
imposed: 
 
 
Offender 
First (1st) offense 
Second (2nd) offense 
Third (3rd) offense 
 
Large enterprise 
 
Fine of not less than 
five hundred thousand 
pesos (Php 500,000) 
 
Fine of not less than 
one 
million 
pesos 
(Php1,000,000) but not 
 
Fine of not less than 
five 
million 
pesos 
(Php5,000,000) 
but 


 
but not more than one 
million pesos (Php 
1,000,000) 
more than five million 
pesos (Php 5,000,000) 
not more than ten 
million pesos (Php 
10,000,000) 
 
MSMEs or any other 
enterprise 
not 
considered as a large 
enterprise by the DTI 
Fine of not less than 
five thousand pesos 
(Php 5,000) but not 
more 
than 
ten 
thousand pesos (Php 
10,000) 
Fine of not less than 
ten 
thousand 
pesos 
(Php 10,000) but not 
more 
than 
twenty 
thousand pesos (Php 
20,000) 
Fine of not less than 
twenty thousand pesos 
(Php 20,000) but not 
more 
than 
fifty 
thousand pesos (Php 
50,000) for the third 
offense. 
 
 
Natural person 
Fine of not more than 
five thousand pesos 
(P5,000) 
Fine of not less than 
five thousand pesos 
(Php 50,000) but not 
more 
than 
ten 
thousand pesos (Php 
10,000) 
Fine of not less than 
ten thousand pesos 
(Php 10,000) but not 
more 
than 
twenty 
thousand pesos (Php 
10,000) 
or 
imprisonment of not 
more than one (1) 
year, or both, at the 
discretion of the court 
 
b. An additional fine of one percent (1%) of the economic value or cost of the violative product or 
one thousand pesos (P1,000), whichever is higher, shall be imposed for each day of the 
continuing violation. 
 
c. The penalties imposed in this Section shall be without prejudice to other remedies or penalties and 
sanctions that are available or may be imposed by law.  
 
d. No person shall be subject to the penalties under this Section for having sold, offered for sale, or 
transferred prepackaged food that are not compliant with the provisions of Sections 7, 8, or 9, if 
such sale, distribution or transfer, was made in good faith. A sale, distribution, or transfer is 
presumed to be made in good faith if the seller or distributor has obtained, in writing, a guaranty 
from the person or food business operator from whom the prepackaged food were obtained, that 
said prepackaged food  are not covered by the requirements under Sections 7 and 8 of this Act. 
 
SECTION 28. Other corrective actions. In addition to the fines and penalties in Section 27, the following 
corrective actions, if not initiated by the offenders themselves, shall be imposed by the appropriate 
authorities to the offenders:  
a. 
Seizure and condemnation, destruction, recall, and/or appropriate disposition of prepackaged 
food that are considered misbranded under Section 10 of this Act, or  items that constitute 
prohibited marketing under Sections 12 or 13 of this Act; 
b. 
Issuance of take-down orders against prohibited advertising, promotions, and sponsorship 
content under Sections 12 or 13 of this Act; 
c. 
Suspension, revocation, or cancellation  of applicable licenses, registrations, and permits to 
operate for business establishments and operators or drivers of public utility vehicles; 
d. 
Disapproval of an application for the issuance or renewal of a Certificate of Product 
Registration (CPR) by the FDA, including suspension, revocation, or cancellation of an 
existing CPR, for prepackaged food that are considered misbranded under Section 10 of this 
Act; 
e. 
Closure of the establishment by LGUs having jurisdiction over premises where a violation of 
this Act has been committed. 
 
SECTION 29. Liability of juridical and other persons.  
a. 
Should a violation of this Act be committed by a juridical person, the Chair of the Board, the 
President, the General Manager, or the partners and/or the persons directly responsible therefor 
shall be penalized.  
b. 
If the offender is an alien, they shall be deported after service of sentence and/or payment of 
fine without further deportation proceedings and shall be permanently barred from re-entering 
the Philippines. 


 
c. 
In case a violation is committed by, or in the interest of, a foreign juridical person duly licensed 
to engage in business in the Philippines, such license to engage in business in the Philippines 
shall be immediately revoked. 
 
SECTION 30. Liability of government officials and employees. Public officials and employees who 
violate Section 23 or 24 of this Act, or who deliberately or knowingly fail to fulfill their responsibilities 
under this Act, shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action pursuant to relevant laws, rules, and 
regulations. 
 
ARTICLE VII. 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
SECTION 31. Healthy Food Marketing Environment Trust Fund. A Healthy Food Marketing 
Environment Trust Fund is hereby created. All fines collected pursuant to the enforcement of this Act shall 
be used exclusively for its implementation and to fund other measures to promote a healthy food marketing 
environment. The DOH shall be responsible for the management and control of the Trust Fund. 
 
SECTION 32. Compliance monitoring. Not later than three (3) years after the date of the effectivity of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, the DOH shall submit to the President of the Philippines and to both 
Houses of Congress a monitoring report on the compliance of the food and beverage industry with this Act 
and all related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances. All reports required under this Act shall be made 
available to the public primarily via the DOH website and other means to readily access such information. 
 
The DOH is hereby authorized to report to Congress any instance of delay or non-compliance by the 
national agencies and LGUs herein of the timelines in implementing this Act. The DOH is also authorized 
to demand accountability from such agencies or LGUs for failure to fulfill its duties under this Act, without 
prejudice to other remedies or penalties and sanctions that  are available or may be imposed by law for such 
delay or non-compliance. 
 
SECTION 33. Impact assessment. The DOH shall conduct an impact assessment every three (3) years to 
evaluate the effectiveness of the enforcement of this Act, health, behavioral, and social outcomes, and other 
matters relevant to implementation of this Act. The DOH shall include in its budget the conduct of the 
assessment. 
 
SECTION 34. Implementing rules and regulations (IRR). The DOH, in consultation with the members 
of the NTF in Section 17, shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act within six (6) months from the date of publication of this Act. The IRR shall 
cover, among others, the phases of implementation, provided that, non-issuance of the IRR shall not prevent 
the implementing agencies from enforcing this Act upon its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 35. Transitory provision. Existing industries, businesses, manufacturers, distributors, and 
other stakeholders affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act to comply with its requirements.  
 
SECTION 36. Appropriations. The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be 
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the concerned national government agencies. 
Thereafter, such funds as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included 
in the budgets of the concerned national government agencies under the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
SECTION 37. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees, ordinances, administrative orders, rules and 
regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 38. Separability clause. Should any provision of this Act be subsequently declared 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 39. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
 
Approved,