JUNE 3, 2016

NR # 4220B

Mandatory donation of edible left over foods

to charitable institutions pushed
An outgoing lawmaker is urging congressmen in the 17 th Congress to file a bill
providing for the mandatory donation of all surpluses or left over but still edible foods to
charitable institutions or foundations by all restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, fast food
chains and other similar food establishments for consumption of needy people.
Rep. Mary Elizabeth Ty Delgado (1st District, Surigao del Sur) said the bill, once
enacted into law, will ensure that no food will be wasted and that the problem of hunger
will be addressed.
Delgado filed House Bill 6511, which mandates the State to implement measures
that would alleviate national poverty and reduce food wastage. The bill was referred to
the House Committee on Trade and Industry.
Delgado cited a law passed in the French Parliament banning supermarket and other
food establishments from throwing away or destroying unsold food. They were mandated
instead to donate left over or unsold food to charities.
Poverty incidence in the country is high which in effect causes malnutrition among
many Filipinos. Many people in our country are malnourished because they do not have
money to buy food for themselves and for their family, Delgado said.
Delgado said one of the causes of poverty is unequal distribution of income. Other
causes of poverty are lack of quality of education, lack of jobs, corruption, natural
calamities and over population, Delgado added.
The effect of poverty is malnutrition. Majority of Filipinos who experience
financial difficulties in purchasing food are now settling for cheaper but less nutritious
food. Even relief centers are giving these kinds of foods, Delgado stressed.
Delgado said because of the strict practice of the countrys food industry,
restaurants, hotels and other food establishments have to dispose their excess food after a
short period of time even though the food is still safe for human consumption the
following day.
With this bill, surplus foods will be made use as it will be mandatory for all
restaurants and the like to donate their surplus foods which are still edible, to charitable
institutions and foundations who will in turn distribute them to needy people, Delgado
said.
Delgado said through this measure, donors will be immune from suit.

Under the proposed Mandatory food Surplus Donation Act of 2016, all
supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, fast food chains and other food establishments shall
donate all of its surplus or left-over but still fit for human consumption foods to accredited
charitable institutions and foundations.
To ensure effective and sustained inter-agency and multi-sectoral coordination, all
charitable institutions and foundations shall be accredited with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The DSWD shall serve as the main accreditation agency together with the
Philippine Red Cross as auxiliary for the implementation of this Act.
All supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, fast food chains and other food establishments
shall not be subject of any civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age,
packaging or condition of apparently edible food that were donated in good faith for
charitable purposes. (30) lvc