Food warning label policy sought

MANILA, Philippines —  Just like cigarettes, food packs must have warning labels, too.

Health advocates on Wednesday launched a campaign calling for a mandatory food warning label system to empower Filipino consumers to make healthier choices.

The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) called on legislators to enact a policy for food warning labels to combat the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Our unhealthy food environment dominated by ultra-processed food is failing us,” former health secretary and HPA lead convenor Jaime Galvez-Tan said.

“Without proper regulation such as a policy to implement food warning labels, this will continue to contribute to the NCD burden and poor health of the people,” he added.

Galvez-Tan said food warning label is a consumer’s right and every Filipino deserves access to clear, easy-to-understand information about the food they are consuming.

He said Filipinos should be able to make informed decisions that can prevent life-threatening chronic conditions such heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Data from the United Nations Children’s Fund showed that 74 percent of Filipino children aged 13 to 15 consume fewer than three servings of vegetables daily, while 38 percent drink at least one bottle of soda.

Separate data also revealed that seven out of 10 deaths in the Philippines are linked to NCDs.