Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Food giant Nestlé said it supports a national nutrition policy but wants the government to also consider the food industry&#x27;s concerns about the impact of such measures on affordability and availability. During a briefing with journalists on its campaign to raise nutrition awareness, Nestlé Philippines Senior Vice President Jose Uy III said the company supports the National Nutrition Council’s push for a Philippine Nutrient Profile Model (PNPM).“Yun yung pino-propose ng National Nutrition Council [na] magkaroon ng Pilipinas, so that meron guidance on how to actually help the Filipino to address the issues of micronutrients, [and the] triple burden of malnutrition [undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, obesity],” Uy said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786624861604nestle joey uy.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Nestlé Senior Vice President Joey Uy talks about the company&#x27;s various initiatives during a briefing with journalists in Makati. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</div>But Uy added that any major policy that is being created by the legislators or the government, has to be scientific or evidence-based, and has to be done in consultation with stakeholders.The PNPM seeks to classify manufactured food products based on their sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and total fat content. It proposes a stricter policy on pre-packaged food, including dairy products, canned sardines, milk, bread, beverages, corned beef, cheese, marinated pork and chicken, biscuits, and other affordable pantry staples. Foods that exceed the set thresholds on sugar, sodium and fat can be classified as unhealthy and be subject to additional food taxes. The NNC cited increased consumption of foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fats as among the reasons why many Filipinos are overweight and obese.Uy said that while they agree with the intention of the PNPM, the government should also consider its “regulatory impact assessment.” “Ano bang patutunguhan nito? So, I think that is very, very, very key. Sana, they also take into account and be mindful that food should be accessible and affordable,” Uy said. The company highlighted its commitment to nutrition with its Nestlé Wellness Campus, which teaches Grade 1–10 students in 26,000 schools on proper nutrition.The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc (PCAFI) earlier said that if policies become excessively restrictive without sufficient transition planning and technical calibration, food manufacturers may face higher reformulation costs, packaging adjustments, supply chain disruptions, and operational uncertainty. This may result in higher food prices, PCAFI has said.The Department of Finance has proposed increasing excise taxes on sweetened beverages and removing the tax exemption on 100 percent natural fruit juices and vegetable juices, as well as on ice creams and frozen yogurts, saying these cause obesity. The tax increases are being eyed to offset reduced revenues arising from a plan to raise income tax exemptions, which was promised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in his last State of the Nation Address.

Nestlé said it supports a national nutrition policy but wants the government to consider industry concerns about its impact on food affordability and availability.

Nestlé said it supports a national nutrition policy but wants the government to consider industry concerns about its impact on food affordability and availability.

Nestlé says national nutrition policy should also consider food industry concerns

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Nestlé says national nutrition policy should also consider food industry concerns

Arthur Fuentes,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 13, 2026 08:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Nestlé

nutrition

National Nutrition Council

Philippine Nutrient Profile Model

excise tax

health

obesity

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