Senate bill to require restos to disclose nutritional info in menus

A bill that would require food service establishments to disclose the caloric and nutritional information of their dishes in menus was filed at the Senate.

Senate Bill 854 or the “Nutritional Information Disclosure Act of 2019,” which was meant to address obesity and improper nutrition issues, was filed by Senator Leila de Lima at the 18th Congress.

“Nutrient content information provided at the time of food selection in food service establishments would enable consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices, promote health awareness and proper dieting, and assist consumers who are monitoring their diets or dealing with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” the bill’s explanatory note read.

Under the bill, food establishments would be obligated to disclose the calorie and nutritional content of their menu items in a “clear and conspicuous manner."

“Nutritional information” under the measure included the total number of calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat, protein, and sodium, among other details.

The bill also requires other nutritional information to be disclosed to customers in a brochure before they place an order.

Food service establishments covered by the measure are those that do business nationally and those that operate as franchisees of a parent business. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News