Senator Leila de Lima filed a bill at the 18th Congress that entails food establishments to indicate the caloric and nutritional information of their dishes in menus.
Senate Bill 854 or the “Nutritional Information Disclosure Act of 2019,” aims to address obesity and improper nutrition issues.
The bill’s explanatory note writes, “Nutrient content information provided at the time of food selection in food service establishments would enable consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices, promote health awareness and proper dieting, and assist consumers who are monitoring their diets or dealing with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”
“Nutritional information” under the measure included the total number of calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat, protein, and sodium, among other details.
The bill also requires other nutritional information to be disclosed to customers in a brochure before they place an order.
Food establishments covered by the measure are those that do business nationally and those that operate as franchisees of a parent business. Food ordered online should also contain nutritional information.
Self-service food establishments like buffets, salad bars, cafeteria lines, and others must also put a sign that indicates calories per displayed food item per serving.
Those who will violate these regulations will be fined P100,000 to P1,000,000 and may face suspension of business operations.
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