Measure bans serving of soda to minors in Manila

A proposed ordinance in Manila seeks to prohibit restaurants, fastfood restaurants and school canteens from selling soda drinks to children 14 years old and below for health reasons.

Councilor Numero Lim, author of the draft ordinance, said the additives in soft drinks retard mental and physical growth.

“There’s a study in the US that [shows that] too much sweets is bad for children. And soft drinks have sweets and coloring additives, plus these are carbonated drinks so these are not advisable,” he told the Inquirer.

Last year, the Manila city council passed a resolution urging fast-food restaurants to serve milk and natural fruit juices instead of sodas in kiddie meals.

“But there [has been no] implementation so I decided to file an ordinance to enforce the resolution,” Lim said.

The measure proposes a penalty of P3,000 and imprisonment of six days.

According to the councilor, the measure primarily targets school canteens because schools are a place for learning and development.  Erika Sauler