Rody wants health warnings on sugar-sweetened drinks

President Duterte has ordered concerned authorities to place health warning labels on beverages sweetened with sugar to better inform the public of the health risks involved.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the President issued the directive after expressing concern about the danger posed by the consumption of products whose main ingredient is sugar to public health.

“The President was bothered if you continue to give high-sugar products to other people without that warning. Sabi niya kailangan may warning ang mga produkto na ‘yan para guided naman ang bibili at ‘yung tatanggap [He said the products must have warnings to guide those buying and consuming them],” Lopez said during a Palace press briefing.

“It becomes really a health risk. Many people hindi tumitingin sa likod, ingredients [Many people don’t look at the product’s ingredients],” he added, citing the harmful effects of the sugary drinks.

The planned placement of health warnings on sweetened drinks was raised while the President and the Cabinet were discussing the tax reform law and its impact on inflation at the Palace last week.

Lopez said the President initially asked about the high prices of powered juiced drinks during the Cabinet meeting.

Duterte was then informed that it was among the high-sugar products slapped with taxes under the new law.