Filipino consumers are facing a health problem, one that starts with the choices they make at the supermarkets where ultra-processed foods are not prominently identified as being high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

The dietary pattern that results from unhealthy ultra-processed food choices fuel the increasing cases of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, and diabetes. Diets high in sodium and sugar contribute to hypertension and diabetes, which are the leading causes of CKD. A 2022 study found that the prevalence of CKD in the country is at 35.94 percent, meaning three in every 10 Filipinos suffer from the disease.

The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) recently urged policymakers to fast-track key interventions that would regulate unhealthy food products. The statement was issued in observance of World Kidney Day and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March.

Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary and lead convenor of HPA, has emphasized that now is the time for action.

Among the proposals from the HPA are the adoption of a robust Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) and the implementation of a mandatory front-of-package food warning label law—both of which have been proven effective in other countries. These measures would not only empower consumers to make informed dietary choices but also push the food industry to reformulate their products into healthier alternatives.

In Chile, where a similar labeling system was implemented, the proportion of food products requiring a warning label significantly decreased as manufacturers reformulated their products to comply with health standards.

The call for an NPM based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) standards is not just an abstract policy recommendation; it is a necessity to protect public health. The proposed model sets clear thresholds for sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats in pre-packaged food. Products exceeding these limits would be required to display warning labels, allowing consumers to quickly identify unhealthy options.

Despite industry concerns, the former DOH chief emphasized that the WHO PAHO Model remains relevant for the Philippine population, as its thresholds align with WHO’s population nutrient intake goals.

The group stressed that a mandatory front-of-pack food warning label law would help consumers make healthy choices. The WHO considers such warning labels a “best buy” strategy for preventing NCDs.

“We need our leaders to act now and save lives from cancer, CKD, and other chronic diseases. We urge them to approve the WHO PAHO-based NPM that has been pending at the National Nutrition Council,” Galvez Tan said.

The Philippines cannot afford to wait any longer. The rise of NCDs is not just a health problem, but also an economic burden, as the cost of treating these diseases far outweighs the investment needed to implement preventive measures. The longer the government delays action, the more lives will be lost to preventable illnesses.

We urge government leaders to approve and implement a strong, pro-consumer NPM based on WHO and PAHO recommendations; mandate front-of-pack warning labels on unhealthy food products; and enforce strict nutritional standards for sugar, sodium, and fats in pre-packaged food and beverages.

The Philippines must take bold steps to protect its citizens from NCDs by ensuring that food safety policies are not just discussed but actively implemented. A healthier nation begins with decisive leadership and urgent action.