Junk food makers not worried over planned health warnings

Manufacturers of salty snacks have junked the possibility of their products being next on the government’s list of having health warnings on its packaging.

Carlos Chan, chairman of the Liwayway group, the company behind the Oishi brand, told The

STAR he is optimistic the government would not implement a health warning labeling to salty processed and manufactured food.

“I don’t think they will do that because we need salt, it is important,” Chan said.

Another official from a manufacturer of a popular salted snack food brand who declined to be named, also shared Chan’s sentiment.

“I think the government is more concerned on sugary products instead of us, which is good. I would like to believe we are not in the pipeline,” the official told The STAR.

Having health warnings on the packages of salted products are expected to dampen demand.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has announced a directive from President Duterte to place health warning on bottles and packages of sweetened beverages to prevent diabetes among Filipino consumers.

In line with the proposal, beverage manufacturers have expressed concern about using the words “warning” or “caution” on the planned labelling in the products.

While they are open to putting a mark in front of the product for its the sugar and calorie content, they believe using the words warning and caution would be detrimental to the sweetened beverage industry that is already experiencing weak demand due to the implementation of the TRAIN Law which levied excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Last year, a proposal to impose an “asin” tax or a levy on salted products was filed as a health measure, with the aim of discouraging the consumption of products laden with salt.