MikeLigalig.com

By Aurea Calica
Philippine Star

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed a bill that would require fast food chains, restaurants, and other food service establishments to post the nutritional content of their menu items in their stores.

“At present, consumers are unable to make informed choices as to which menu item is more nutritious as opposed to others in food service establishments, leading to unhealthy eating patterns,” Santiago said.

Senate Bill 2682, also known as Nutritional Content in Menu Boards Act, aims to increase consumers’ awareness when eating in restaurants or fast food outlets.

Santiago said that putting calorie and nutrient information on menu and menu boards would fulfill the constitutional mandate for the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

“Nutrient content information provided at the time of food selection in food service establishments would enable consumers to make more informed, healthier choices and can reasonably be expected to reduce the many related health problems uninformed choices make,” she said.