New system trims ‘unhealthy’ nutrients from foods: What you need to know

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

Awaiting approval, the Philippine Nutrient Profile Model sets limits for fat, sugar, non-sugar sweeteners, and sodium found in prepackaged food and beverages

MANILA, Philippines – Are Filipinos eating healthy or not?

Consider the following data from a recent Philippine Statistics Authority survey:

• Obesity cases have been gradually rising over the years, with a prevalence of 44.5% in 2025, from 39.8% in 2023
• Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the Philippines, 
• Diabetes mellitus is the fifth

Medical experts have also been sounding the alarm on dietary fat, sugar, and sodium, which, when taken in large amounts, can lead to the development of chronic illnesses.

To arrest unhealthy eating habits, the Philippine Nutrient Profile Model (PNPM) has been developed by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) under the Department of Health (DOH). 

Once approved by the Office of the President, this mechanism can set thresholds for specific unhealthy nutrients — total fat, saturated fat, total sugar, added sugar, sodium, and non-sugar sweeteners. These “nutrients of concern” (NOC) are often found in prepackaged food and beverages.

Nutrient profiling essentially means identifying the nutritional value of food by analyzing its ingredients and composition, then classifying it as healthy or not, based on set standards. 

Based on this, specific limits for unhealthy nutrients can be established, following recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and deliberations of experts:

Nutrients of concern (NOC)	Recommended limit	Remarks
Total fat	less than 30% of energy or calories per serving	measured in kcal
Saturated fat	less than 10% of energy or calories per serving	measured in kcal
Total sugar	less than 10% of energy or calories per serving	measured in kcal
Added sugar	0 grams (g)	not recommended to add to prepackaged food/beverages
Sodium	1 mg/kcal	derived from the WHO’s recommended 2,000 mg of sodium per day
Non-sugar sweeteners	0g	not recommended to add to prepackaged food/beverages

The thresholds are grouped into 16 food categories, including dairy products, condiments, prepackaged fruits and vegetables, meat and fish products, bakery wares, soups and sauces, beverages, ready-to-eat savories, and more. Click here for the full list.

Queenie Wapericua, NNC Nutrition Officer II, said in a mix of English and Filipino, “The PNPM is just part of a larger plan — the National Policy in Addressing Obesity and Other Metabolic Disorders. It will dictate or guide various policies.”

These policies include plans for a front-of-pack labeling system and better food marketing for children.

Currently, more than 20 bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives that promote a healthier food environment, including these plans.

How it began

Conceptualization began in 2015 when the WHO Regional NPM for the Western Pacific was introduced in the country.

After numerous consultations, the NNC and other stakeholders decided to develop a nutrient profile model tailored to the Philippines’ food culture.

After years of back-and-forth meetings and development, the final draft was approved by the NNC Governing Board, chaired by the DOH, on June 10.

The PNPM in practice

In the April 2026 publication draft shown to Rappler, the PNPM requires people to calculate the value per 100g of each NOC shown on the nutrition facts of a prepackaged product.

Applying a proposed PNPM formula, ordinary consumers should be able to determine on their own whether a certain food product surpasses limits for unhealthy nutrients.

Once approved and cascaded to the market, the PNPM will help consumers through labels indicating products are “high in fat,” “high in sodium,” or “high in sugar.”

Wapericua emphasized that the PNPM is primarily intended for policymakers, legislators, food manufacturers, and researchers.

Petitions to veto the model

There are mixed views on whether Marcos should approve the current version of the PNPM.

A group called the Healthy Philippines Alliance has lauded the PNPM’s potential role in consumer health and protection. For them, it is “premature” to claim that it would negatively impact the poor, businesses, and the informal sector.

But various groups are requesting a comprehensive impact assessment of the PNPM’s economic and social effects upon implementation, as well as balanced policies that treat manufacturers and the broader food industry fairly.

Wapericua said all stakeholders were consulted regarding the PNPM, which she calls “step one” in the process. Discussions on front-of-pack labeling, according to her, will entail consultations, meetings with stakeholders, and analysis of the impact of regulation.

Ultimately, the long-term goal is to create a healthy food environment and prevent diseases. Wapericua said, “We just want to let the Filipino people…be informed with the food items that they consume.” – Rappler.com