TARLAC CITY (PIA) — In line with the celebration of the 51st Nutrition Month, the Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development (DOH-CLCHD) is promoting smart food choices as a key step towards achieving food and nutrition security.
This year’s Nutrition Month’s theme, “Food and Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!”, emphasizes the importance of both availability and quality in securing the health of every Filipino.
DOH-CLCHD Nutrition Program Health Program Officer II Sheena Polinar explained that food and nutrition security, though closely related, addresses different aspects of dietary well-being.
“Food security means having consistent access to enough, safe, and affordable food, while nutrition security goes beyond quantity and ensures that the food is also nutritious, safe, affordable, and appropriate,” she said.
She added that the full concept of food and nutrition security requires both access to food and access to the right kind of food to promote good health.
To achieve this goal, she said that individuals should be educated on smart food choices by reading and understanding food labels and ingredient list before buying.
Using product samples, Polinar trains individuals on how to properly read food labels and ingredient list.
She highlighted that food labels, as mandated by Administrative Order 2014-0030, must provide essential information such as nutrition facts, serving size, percent Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI), and macronutrient content.
Polinar also emphasized the importance of checking the ingredient list, pointing out that ingredients are listed by weight.
“Ingredients listed first make up the largest portion of the product. This helps consumers identify which products are healthier,” she explained.
Polinar noted that in today’s highly urbanized environment, where ultra-processed and fast food are common, it is more crucial than ever to be aware of what they consume.
“Knowing what each product contains empowers consumers to make informed decisions and avoid lifestyle-related disease,” she added.
She also advised the public to always compare labels when buying, as these small decisions significantly contribute to one’s overall health and nutrition. (MJSC/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
