Erwan egged on to push for food warning labels
AS the Philippines battles an alarming rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension and heart ailment, health advocates are rallying for a high-profile celebrity to champion their food warning labels campaign and amplify their cause.
Filipino food advocate, renowned chef and content creator Erwan Heussaff was recently egged on by public health organizations to be the face of their campaign for mandatory food warning labels.
Health advocates see Heussaff as the ideal face for the campaign, recognizing the need for a powerful and relatable advocate. Health organizations are hoping to enlist Heussaff, a celebrated figure in food and media, to lead their campaign.
A James Beard award-winning content creator, Heussaff has built his brand around preserving and promoting Filipino culinary traditions through his platforms Featr and The Fat Kid Inside Studios.
His work, that includes documentaries on cultural cooking in the Cordilleras and traditional salt-making, reflects his passion for Filipino food and culture.
“The power of the Philippines is with our people,” Heussaff earlier said. “We must learn to appreciate all the dishes from every region of the Philippines.”
Public health organizations, including the Health Justice Philippines and Imagine Law, are appealing to Heussaff. Health advocates believe his influence can drive widespread awareness and urgent action for food warning labels.
The push for mandatory food warning labels targets the dangers of ultra-processed foods that are often loaded with sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats. These products dominate the Filipino market, misleading families and contributing to skyrocketing obesity rates and other NCDs.
“Our current nutrition labels fall short,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Health Secretary and lead convenor of the Healthy Philippines Alliance, during a media roundtable in Quezon City.
He highlighted that deceptive branding often portrays processed food as healthy, even for children, while concealing harmful levels of sugar and fat.
“The state of our diet is not an accident, nor is it a product of individual choices. It’s by design,” Dr. Galvez Tan stressed.
An exhibit at the event showcased popular food and drink products with excessive sugar, fat and sodium, revealing the hidden risks these pose to Filipino families.
“Erwan Heussaff’s commitment to Filipino food and health makes him an ideal ambassador for this cause,” said Maria Fatima ‘Jofti’ Villena of The Policy Center. “His credibility and reach could help us educate families and policymakers on the urgency of food warning labels.”
Learning from global success stories advocates point to countries like Chile and Mexico, where front-of-package food warning labels have significantly improved public health.
Villena of The Policy Center explained: “When black octagonal warning labels were introduced in Chile, there was a 10 percent reduction in sugar purchases. The Philippines can – and must – learn from their experience.
“The stakes in the Philippines are clear: 29.5 million Filipinos are overweight or obese and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) projects that adolescent obesity could rise to 30 percent by 2030 if left unaddressed.
“Children who are overweight face a higher risk of remaining obese into adulthood, increasing their likelihood of developing NCDs.”
As National Children’s Month highlights the health of the nation’s youth, the call for Heussaff’s involvement resonates deeply.
Advocates are hopeful that his influence and passion for Filipino food will inspire policymakers, parents and the public to take bold steps toward safeguarding future generations.
With Heussaff as a potential champion, the vision of a healthier Philippines may finally gain the momentum it needs.
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals that 66 percent of Filipinos support food warning labels. However, the Healthy Food Marketing Environment Act (Senate Bill No. 2700), which would mandate such labels, remains stalled in committee. Its counterpart bill in the House of Representatives has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, a vocal advocate for the measure, shared her support through a video message during the roundtable: “I am sure na kapag ang diet ng ating mga anak, ay mas malusog at balanse, mas malakas nilang mahaharap ang ano mang hamon ng buhay. Para ito sa ating mga anak. Para ito sa ating pangarap na Healthy Pilipinas.”
Meanwhile, advocates have launched the “Dapat May Babala” campaign, which includes TV commercials, billboards and digital content to raise awareness and mobilize public support.
A shared vision for healthier Filipino families for advocates like Dr. Galvez Tan, the need for action is urgent. “We are already losing too many lives to preventable diseases. The question we need to ask ourselves is simple: how many more are we willing to lose before we act?”
