‘DAPAT MAY BABALA’: Health groups press Congress for mandatory food warning labels

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Health advocates, patient groups, and government representatives are urging Congress to require front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on packaged food high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats.

The call was made at the Nov. 9 launch of “Dapat May Babala: Protecting Filipino Families through Front-of-Pack Warning Labels,” a mass media campaign led by ImagineLaw and HealthJustice in recognition of National Children’s Month.

The campaign supports government efforts to introduce warning labels that help consumers identify unhealthy products that may harm their health.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Lester Tan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing policies that protect Filipino children from preventable noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

The campaign comes amid a growing burden of diet-related NCDs in the Philippines.

NCDs, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, accounted for 73.3% of all deaths in 2023.

Obesity is also rising, with a 2025 national nutrition survey finding that 44.5% of Filipino adults aged 20 to 59 were living with obesity.

The 2023 baseline for the same age group was 39.8%, according to the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

Committee discussions on proposed warning label legislation are expected to continue in November and December.

ImagineLaw Executive Director Atty. Sophia San Luis called on lawmakers to turn public health concerns into concrete legislative action.

“Voluntary measures are not enough. We need lawmakers to require food companies to display clear and consistent warning labels. Protecting children’s health should not be optional,” said San Luis.

“The momentum for warning labels and healthier food environments has never been stronger. We are seeing unprecedented support of 101 legislators and sustained advocacy from health and patient groups. Lawmakers have a unique opportunity to advance front-of-pack warning labels and create a healthy food environment for FIlipino children and their families,” she added.

Pending bills

News reports counted 26 pending measures in May 2026 — 22 versions of the broader Healthy Food Environment bill and four FOPWL bills — backed at the time by more than 80 legislators.

Black octagons are the label design specified in House Bill 8284, the proposed Healthy Food Marketing and Labelling Act of 2026, for products that breach government-set limits on sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.

Marketing of labeled products, particularly advertisements aimed at children, would also be prohibited under that bill.

Manufacturers currently face no obligation to put nutrition information on the front of a package; the only compulsory disclosure is the nutrition facts panel on the back.

The “Dapat May Babala” banner itself dates to late 2024, when the Healthy Philippines Alliance, HealthJustice Philippines, and ImagineLaw first rolled out a campaign for a food warning label policy.

Burden on parents

The campaign highlights how unhealthy diets contribute to the growing burden of NCDs, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Consumers often struggle to identify products high in nutrients of concern because nutrition information is typically presented in technical tables at the back of packages.

Front-of-pack warning labels make it easier to spot packaged foods and drinks high in sugar, salt, and other nutrients of concern, helping consumers make informed choices and avoid unhealthy products.

“Filipino parents deserve to know exactly what they are putting on their children’s plates. We cannot place the entire burden of protecting children’s health on parents while important nutrition information remains difficult to understand. The unhealthy ultra-processed foods we feed our children today increases the risk of developing NCDs that will compromise their health and quality of life in adulthood,” said Dr. Jimmy Galvez Tan of the Healthy Philippines Alliance.

Dr. Aurora Muriel S. Gampiona of the Philippine Heart Association emphasized early prevention, saying children’s food choices can affect their cardiovascular health well into adulthood.

“Prevention begins with informed choices, but families can only make those choices when they have clear and understandable information,” Gampiona said.

“Front-of-pack warning labels help Filipinos quickly identify products high in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, making it easier to choose healthier options and protect the heart health of their families, especially their children,” she added.

Patients’ stake

For patients and their families, the stakes are also personal.

Rey Abacan Jr., founder of Dialysis PH Support Group, stressed the importance of informed food choices in preventing kidney disease and its associated health impacts.

“Kidney disease brings a tremendous physical, emotional, and financial burden. We should do everything we can to prevent more families from going through this experience. Consumers have the right to know if the food they buy may put their health at risk. Clear warning labels can help families make informed choices and protect themselves from preventable diseases,” said Abacan.

The public can show support for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels by joining the movement at healthyfoodenvironment.ph.