In January, Senator Imee Marcos filed a bill seeking to prohibit baby food producers and manufacturers in the from adding sugar in their products.
Marcos quoted studies by both the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines (UP) that Filipinos are at risk for obesity. which prompted her to file Senate Bill (SB) No. 2581 or the No-Added Sugar on Baby Foods Act.
Marcos said, “In a 2022 survey of the DOST’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, around 27 million Filipinos are overweight and obese. For the past two decades, overweight and obesity among adults have almost doubled from 20.2% in 1998 to 36.6% in 2019.” Similarly, the prevalence rates of obesity among adolescents have more than doubled from 4.9% in 2003 to 11.6% in 2018, the DOST.
A recent study by UP also found that young Filipinos are at a greater risk of obesity, due to the consumption of food that are energy-dense and nutrient-poor, exacerbated by growing urbanization and higher incomes.
Senator Imee also added that the World Health Organization is also seeking a ban on added sugars in baby food for children aged zero to 36 months old due to its detrimental impact on the child’s oral health. It will put children at risk of developing a preference for sweet foods, which may lead to overweight and obesity-related diseases in adulthood.
Marcos said, “The proposed bill seeks to ensure good nutrition, optimal child growth and development, and better health outcomes for children. To this end, the government, and agencies concerned shall implement a ban on added sugar in baby food. The producers/manufacturers shall take responsibility to remove added sugar and look for healthier alternatives in their baby food products.”
SB 2581 mandates the Department of Health to recall, prohibit, or seize from public sale or distribution any baby food that contain added sugar. The manufacturer of baby food that contains added sugar will also be fined from Pesos 300,000 to Pesos 500,000 (US$5,330- US$8,888) or face imprisonment of up to 5 years or both. If the seller, distributor or manufacturer of the subjected baby food is a foreign entity, he/she shall be deported after service of sentence and payment of fine without further deportation proceedings.
