Filipino Parents Favor Food Warning Labels for Better Health

Filipino parents and household decision-makers overwhelmingly support the use of front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on food products, viewing them as essential tools for protecting their families’ health and making informed dietary choices, according to new nationwide research.

The findings emerged from a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted by ImagineLaw, a public interest law organization, across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Consumers need accessible and straightforward information when it comes to food,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of ImagineLaw.

Participants were asked to assess pre-packaged food items with only the current back-of-pack nutrition labeling and those featuring front-of-pack warning labels.

The results revealed a clear preference for the latter, with many respondents sharing that they typically rely on pricing and expiration dates and often struggle to understand traditional nutrition labels.

“This proves that the current nutrition labeling does not work,” San Luis added. “We need FOPL as an intervention to provide clear and accessible food information for all.”

The majority of respondents said warning labels are the easiest way to identify unhealthy food products and make quicker, more informed decisions at the point of purchase.

The FGDs also confirmed findings from a previous Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which showed that 66% of Filipinos support the use of warning labels on food packaging.

Mothers expressed that food warnings help them better pursue health goals for their families, while fathers said they use warning labels to compare similar food products and identify healthier options.

Participants also voiced strong support for a national policy mandating FOPWL on food packaging.

“Filipinos are calling for food labels to protect their families’ health,” San Luis emphasized. “There is a demand from actual consumers for the passage of the Front-of-Pack Warning Label Bill (FOPWL Bill) to help them make informed decisions for their loved ones.”

The proposed FOPWL Bill aims to address rising rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity by equipping consumers with clear, science-based nutritional warnings.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), high intake of foods rich in fats, sugar, and sodium significantly increases the risk of NCDs, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

To support this effort, Samar Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan urged Congress to fast-track hearings on the Healthy Food Marketing Environment Bill (House Bill No. 9819), which incorporates mandatory FOPWL and restricts marketing of unhealthy food products to children.

“This bill empowers Filipinos to protect their families and children from disease,” said Rep. Tan during a press conference organized by ImagineLaw. “I urge my fellow lawmakers to support this health measure and secure better health for all Filipinos.”

The bill’s two-fold approach targets not only front-of-pack labeling, but also the regulation of food advertisementsaimed at children, which studies show can influence lifelong eating habits.

“The policy ensures a heart-healthy food environment for children,” Rep. Tan added. “If it’s heart-healthy for a child, then it’s heart-healthy for all.”

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) backed the bill, highlighting the urgent need to combat heart disease — the country’s leading cause of death.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in every five Filipino deaths in the first half of 2024 was due to heart disease.

“We need to give Filipinos a fighting chance to protect their heart health and that of their loved ones from this deadly yet preventable disease,” said Dr. Louella Santos, PHA Director.

Beyond adult health, the impact on children is also critical.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that one in every seven school-aged Filipino children is overweight or obese, primarily due to poor diet and exposure to aggressive food marketing strategies.

Obesity in childhood dramatically increases the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses later in life.

In response to these challenges, ImagineLaw also launched the Responsible Food Marketing Coalition, a multi-sectoral network advocating for stronger food marketing policies to safeguard Filipino children.

The coalition includes leading organizations such as the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, Kalusugan ng Mag-ina, World Vision, and academic partners from the University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health and College of Public Health, along with GoodGov Philippines.

“Children’s health is a shared responsibility,” said Atty. Mikhail Laurence Millan, Project Manager of ImagineLaw. “The Coalition is committed to creating a healthy food environment that protects the health of Pinoy children.”

The coalition and its partners are pushing for the swift passage of HB 9819, asserting that it offers a practical and evidence-based solution to an escalating public health crisis.

With mounting support from parents, health professionals, and advocacy groups alike, the push for food labeling reform and marketing regulations is gaining momentum in the halls of Congress.

The FOPWL Bill and its accompanying policy proposals aim to reshape the Philippine food landscape, placing consumer health and informed choice at the center of national nutrition strategy.