SENATOR Risa Hontiveros is calling on the public to support Senate Bill No. 2700, the proposed Healthy Food Marketing Environment Act, which mandates food warning labels and marketing restrictions to protect children’s health.

“Ngayong ipinagdiriwang natin ang National Children’s Month, sana po ay maging katuwang kayo sa ating kampanya na ipasa ang Healthy Food Marketing Environment Act,” Hontiveros urged the public.

The bill aims to protect children from obesity and related diseases—such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and certain cancers—by informing consumers about the health risks of certain food products.

It also promotes responsible marketing to children by limiting advertisements of food and beverages that may harm children’s health.

“Iminumungkahi ng panukalang ito na lagyan ng front-of-pack warning label ang mga produkto para agad na nakikita kung ang isang produkto ay lagpas sa itinakdang threshold ng energy, fat, salt, o sugar,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

If enacted, the law would require food manufacturers to add clear nutritional warning labels on the front of product packaging, allowing children and consumers to identify which items exceed recommended thresholds for fat, sugar, and salt.

Additionally, the policy will limit the marketing of these potentially harmful products in public spaces, online platforms, schools, and on TV and radio.

“Isinusulong din nito na i-regulate ang marketing sa iba’t ibang media channels at sa mga lugar na madalas pinupuntahan ng mga bata, para mabawasan ang exposure ng ating mga anak sa mga pagkain at inuming hindi nakakabuti sa kanilang kalusugan,” she added.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, 99% of social media posts advertising food in the Philippines promote “unhealthy” food.

Studies have shown that high exposure to unhealthy food marketing increases children’s brand preferences, influencing their purchases and consumption, contributing to poor dietary habits and increasing the risk of health problems later in life.