Philippines could see nutrition labelling after Bill submission

By RJ Whitehead

- Last updated on GMT

Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Related tags Nutrition

A law has been tabled in the Philippines that will require food manufacturers to label their products with nutrition information.

The Bill for the proposed Philippine Nutrition Label Act also calls for allergen declarations to put the country in line with many international regulatory systems.

Rolando Andaya Jr, who has sponsored the Bill, has emphasised that the move is designed to promote public awareness on the importance of a balanced diet.

"The proper labelling will provide consumers with enough information pertaining to their food intake in order to help them make dietary decisions that can improve their health​," Andaya said in a statement.

He said labels should contain serving and calorie information, as well as measures of vitamins, minerals, fat and saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, sugar, dietary fibre, protein and other nutrients.

The Bill also provides that food items should not be distributed unless they conform to food and drug regulations.

It also mandates food safety agencies to confiscate the consumer products proven to be hazardous to public health, though it does not cover those who are engaged in the wholesale and retail distribution of commodities.

Should the Bill be passed, violators will face fines ranging from P10,000-300,000 [US$212-636), depending on the gravity of the offence.

Related topics Policy South East Asia Food safety

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1 comment

How is this different from AO 2014-0030

Posted by JBurton,

9. Food Allergen Information
Food allergen information on the label of products containing the following
ingredients but not limited to those listed below shall be indicated clearly,
conspicuously and indelibly, located directly below the List of Ingredients
(e.g. Contains food allergen: egg; or "Allergen Information: may contain _ "
I "Manufactured in equipment that processes __ "; or similar expression)
The following ingredients known to cause hypersensitivity shall always be
declared:
a. Cereal containing gluten, i.e. wheat, rye, barley, oat, spelt or their
hybridized strain and products of these;
b. Crustaceans and products of these;
c. Eggs and eggs products;
d. Fish and fish products;
e. Peanuts, soybeans and products of these;
f. Milk and milk products (lactose included);
g. Tree nut and nut products;
h. Sulphite in concentrations of I Omg/kg or more
1. Such other ingredient as may be included by FDA through appropriate
issuance

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