MANILA — Local food manufacturers urged local government units (LGUs) to harmonize their standards on food products allowed for sale in schools and near their premises, according to an official of Nestle Philippines, Inc., a member of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc.
Nestle Philippines Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs Ernesto Mascenon told reporters the Chamber has raised concern over ordinances issued by LGUs banning some food products in schools.
Mascenon said an LGU in Metro Manila issued an ordinance banning the selling of junk foods and even sweetened milk in schools or in stores within 100 meters from schools. “They don’t define junk foods, and there is no definition for junk foods,” Mascenon said in Filipino.
“They don’t indicate also the level of sugar for sweetened milk that cannot be sold in schools and near the schools,” he added, noting that this would mean even powdered milk will not be allowed to be sold in stores that are near the schools.
LGUs that issued such ordinances include Quezon City, Pasig City, Muntinlupa, and Cebu, while others are also planning to release their own ordinances on food products allowed for sale inside school premises and near them.
Mascenon noted that these ordinances are even stricter than the Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd offices issued by the Department of Education (DepEd).
He said the Chamber raised this concern to Senate President Tito Sotto. “We raised this issue. We said: Can your office take the lead in harmonizing the standards? We cannot have different standards with food industry to be thrown in confusion,” he added. “They replied and said we are endorsing it to DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) for action.
“But [DTI] Secretary Mon (Ramon Lopez) said, the problem is by law, LGUs have authority [to issue their own ordinances],” Mascenon said, adding that Lopez said it can be solved through legislature.
Aside from raising the issue before Congress and the DTI, the Chamber will also write a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, Mascenon said. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)
