The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is calling for a comprehensive impact assessment of the proposal to set a new benchmark for healthy processed food products to evaluate its potential economic and social implications.

Eunina V. Mangio, PCCI president, said in a statement on Wednesday, July 21, that the Philippine Nutrient Profile Model (PNPM) must be thoroughly examined prior to its implementation by the National Nutrition Council (NNC).

The NNC recently announced its plans to adopt the Pan-American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) in the Philippines, which would regulate and define the nutritional content and value of processed foods and beverages.

NPM is a tool for evaluating the healthfulness of foods and drinks by examining their important nutrient levels. It sorts foods into categories to encourage better health and well-being choices.

Echoing similar concerns, the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. (PCMI) has also called for a detailed impact assessment to be conducted to analyze the potential economic and social consequences of the proposed PNPM.

“Definitely, we all agree that we should have a comprehensive Nutrient Profiling Model as a crucial step toward enhancing our countrymen's physical health and mental acuity and promoting their overall well-being,” Mangio said.

However, any attempts to modify or introduce NPM should be based on science and research, rather than simply following the PAHO model, which was tailored to specific countries with their own dietary patterns and requirements, she said.

Mangio stated that the proponent needs to listen to the concerns of various stakeholders, including not only international experts, policymakers, and the academic community, but also consumers and the food and beverage industry.

The PCCI president also endorsesd PCFMI's stance that PNPM should establish a framework to tackle the most pressing nutritional issues in the Philippines.

“Given the high incidence of poverty in our country, it is essential to give due consideration to approaches that increase the availability and accessibility of food rather than narrowing the food choices that our people can make,” Mangio said.

Paul Cuyegkeng, who chairs the PCCI Agriculture Committee, argued that any existing bias against businesses must be set aside in order to address the significant issue of malnutrition with a united approach involving the entire nation.

Rita Palabyab, who co-chairs the same committee, also stressed the importance of empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices that are in line with their lifestyle needs and health objectives.

“We adhere to scientific research and data-driven insights as the basis of the model that can help Filipinos adjust their nutritional intake and live healthier and more productive lives,” she said.

She said that the PNPM has limited its target application to prepackaged foods, overlooking the crucial role of food processing in ensuring a safe and stable food supply.

The policy development process thus far has not adequately considered the significant contribution of the agri-food sector to the country’s economy, which amounts to $126.7 billion, with food and beverage manufacturing accounting for 46 percent.

Additionally, excluding participants from the food and beverage industry due to a perceived conflict of interest deprives the process of valuable insights based on direct experience in production and consumer interaction.