By Sonny Daanoy
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, July 15, invited "mukbang" content creators for an "open consultation."
On the sidelines of the ceremonial signing of the "National Policy on Promotion and Protection of Health in Jails, Prisons, Custodial Facilities, and Other Places of Detention," DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that Health Secretary Ted Herbosa expressed interest in meeting with "mukbangers," a term typically used for content creators who produce mukbang videos.
"We can say that this is an open consultation," Domingo said.
The official cited a recent interview with a "mukbanger" by a network, highlighting their willingness to comply with laws.
"They (content creators) are willing to follow the law, and if you talk to them, they have input as well, " said Domingo in a mix of English and Filipino, noting that the country's health department "is very much open to that."
"So, if you're watching, our office is open. Our staff will get in touch with you. Let's have a meeting," Domingo announced, reaching out to "mukbang" content creators.
Meanwhile, Domingo emphasized that they will not immediately implement a ban on this kind of content, but there is an ongoing discussion and consideration regarding regulation.
"When I say regulation, it starts with information and awareness, which is what we're doing now," he explained.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, "mukbang" is a video, especially one that is live-streamed, that features a person eating a large quantity of food and addressing the audience.
It often includes autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) elements during eating.
It gained public attention, especially last June, after mukbang vlogger "Dongz Apatan," who had over 400,000 followers on Facebook, suffered a stroke on June 14 after eating fried chicken, tragically leading to his death.
However, the country's health department is constantly raising public awareness, specifically warning about the risks of unhealthy diets and overeating that can lead to various diseases.