Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) – Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday called for a health rating system on labels of packaged food products to allow Filipinos to have a better knowledge about what they eat.
He earlier filed a bill proposing to include the rating, in addition to the standard nutritional facts on food packaging.
Under Senate Bill No. 1684, the health rating system will be from 1 (as least nutritious) to 5 (most nutritious). The rating will be calculated based on the food’s nutritive value which includes total energy, saturated fat, sodium, sugar content, and fiber.
“This approach aims to arm Filipinos with the necessary information on the nutritional content of the food they choose to consume on a daily basis and in turn lessen their susceptibility to life threatening diseases,” read the bill’s explanatory note.
The health rating label will cover all food products in grocery stores except for the following: fresh unpacked food; condiments; non-nutritive foods, single-ingredient foods not intended to be eaten on their own; alcoholic beverages; formulated products for infants and young children; and food for special medical purposes.
Food manufacturers will calculate the health rating of their products and submit them to the Food and Drug Administration, the bill added.
The rating label will also be placed on the front of the packaging. The nutrient content will also state if the product is high or low in saturated fat, sodium, or fiber.
