HEALTH advocates yesterday asked government to adopt policies that will make food warning labels mandatory nationwide, citing persistent threats of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity.
“Everyone has the right to be informed about what we consume. We deserve to be warned about food ingredients that could potentially harm our health. Every Filipino deserves access to clear, easy-to-understand information about the food they are consuming,” the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) said in a statement.
“Food warning labels that disclose the amounts of critical nutrients, like sugar, sodium, and fats, are essential for making healthy dietary choices and preventing NCDs. Our policymakers and legislators need to accelerate strategies to mitigate unhealthy diets and NCDs,” it added.
HPA said they are issuing the call because of the prevalence of NCDs in the Philippines.
“We are facing an alarming rise in childhood obesity, as well as cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading killers in the Philippines,” said the group. “Our unhealthy food environment dominated by ultra-processed foods is failing us.”
The group stressed that the current policy of mandatory back-of-pack nutrition facts and voluntary front-of-pack labeling practices in the Philippines is inadequate.
“There is growing evidence that show food warning labels, compared to other kinds of front-of-pack labeling schemes, more effectively discourages consumers to purchase unhealthy food or drinks,” said HPA.
