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Improving nutrition is no longer just about encouraging healthier choices—it is about making those choices easier, more accessible, and more practical for Filipino families. Addressing the Philippines' ongoing nutrition challenges requires removing the barriers families often face, ranging from nutrition literacy and affordability to physical accessibility.

Turning Dialogue into Action

With the understanding that creating healthier food systems requires more than product innovation, Monde Nissin convened leaders from nutrition, community development, and the industry for "The Better Food Conversation: Nourishment on Every Filipino Plate." The event featured an expert panel with Dr. Clarissa Juanico, President of the Philippine Stakeholders for Nutrition and Dietetics; Mr. Cloyd Masaudling, Executive Director of Aguhon Movement for Governance; Ms. Jo Sebastian, registered nutritionist-dietitian and content creator; and Atty. Olive Misa, Head of Corporate and Government Affairs at Monde Nissin Corporation.

Attending the event were notable stakeholders from the Philippine food and nutrition sector, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Philippine Association of Nutrition, Philippine Stakeholders for Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutritionist Dietitians' Association of the Philippines Foundation, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and many more who share a common vision for improved nutrition in the country.

The discussion explored the realities shaping food choices among Filipino families and reinforced the importance of evidence-based nutrition communication. Panelists agreed that creating healthier food environments requires sustained efforts across government, food and nutrition experts, communities, academia, and the private sector, positioning the initiative as an open platform to encourage dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and inspire practical solutions.

"Better nutrition is not only about knowing what to eat. It is also about whether families can afford the food, find it where they usually shop, and understand how it can fit into their everyday meals," said Kevin Carpio, Nutrition Advocacy Manager of Monde Nissin.

"When every sector works together, we can create environments where healthier choices are not only available but also accessible and achievable for everyone," added Dr. Clarissa Juanico, President of the Philippine Stakeholders for Nutrition and Dietetics.

At the event, Monde Nissin launched its response to the nutrition challenge: Better Food Forward (BFF), an advocacy that brings together science, product innovation, nutrition education, and multi-sector partnerships to help bring better food within reach of Filipino families. Built on three interconnected pillars—Products, Programs, and Partnerships—Better Food Forward strengthens Monde Nissin's efforts to continuously improve the nutritional quality of its portfolio, empower consumers through practical nutrition education, and foster partnerships that support healthier food environments. Carpio emphasized that BFF represents Monde Nissin's long-term commitment to helping improve nutrition through measurable action, recognizing that no single organization can solve the country's nutrition challenges alone.

As part of this commitment, Monde Nissin shared the progress it has already made across its portfolio. Today, 73% of the company's revenue comes from fortified products, 32% of its products have reduced sodium, and 100% of its portfolio is free from trans fats. In 2025 alone, Monde Nissin products delivered 2 billion servings of

Vitamin A, 3 billion servings of iron, and 542 million servings of Vitamin C to Filipino consumers.

The company also introduced the Monde Nissin Nutrition Criteria, a science-based internal tool that guides product innovation and renovation while supporting its ambition to expand its portfolio of healthier products by 2030. Current initiatives include sodium reduction across selected products, proprietary air-fried noodle technology that lowers fat and calories, and continued food fortification to address key nutrient gaps among Filipino consumers.

For Monde Nissin, Better Food Forward is designed to evolve through science, innovation, and continuous engagement with stakeholders as a long-term advocacy rather than a one-time initiative.

"Today's launch is not the end point. It is an invitation to continue the conversation and identify where our respective expertise, reach, and capabilities can complement one another. We hope to work alongside partners to shape priorities, co-create practical nutrition solutions, and develop credible ways to measure progress together," stated Rico Gonzales, Monde Nissin’s Chief Business Officer. He added that at the heart of this journey is one simple belief: better food should always be within reach, not just for some, but for every family.

As Better Food Forward begins its journey, Monde Nissin aims to deepen collaboration across sectors to make nourishing food choices more accessible and easier to adopt for every Filipino family.