FAQs: Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and DepEd Offices
Based on DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2017 — Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices.
1) What is DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2017 about?
It issues the Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices, providing standards for healthier food environments and guidance on what foods and beverages should be made available, limited, or discouraged in schools and DepEd offices.
2) Who and what institutions are covered?
The guidelines apply to public elementary and secondary schools and learning centers, and DepEd offices (Central, Regional, Division levels). Private schools are enjoined to adopt the same guidelines.
3) What is the main system used to classify foods and drinks?
Foods and beverages are categorized into GREEN, YELLOW, and RED groups to guide what should always be available, served carefully/limited, or not recommended in school canteens.
4) What does the GREEN category mean?
GREEN foods and beverages are those that should always be available in canteens. These are generally low in saturated/trans fat, sugar, and salt. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
5) What does the YELLOW category mean?
YELLOW foods and beverages should be served carefully. They may be served once or twice a week only, in smaller servings, and should not be too prominent in the canteen menu.
6) What does the RED category mean?
RED foods and beverages are not recommended in a healthy school canteen and should not be served in the canteen menu because they contain high amounts of saturated fat or sugar or salt.
7) How are packaged foods/drinks classified?
Packaged manufactured products with Nutrition Facts must be evaluated using the guidelines’ cut-off points and the Nutrition Facts Assessment Table.
8) What are the GREEN cut-off points for packaged products (per serving)?
- Saturated fat: less than 3 grams
- Trans fat: no trans fat
- Added sugar: less than 10 grams
- Sodium: less than 120 mg
These are the GREEN cut-off points shown in Table 1.
9) What are the YELLOW cut-off points for packaged products (per serving)?
- Saturated fat: more than 3 to 5 grams
- Trans fat: no trans fat
- Added sugar: more than 10 grams but less than 20 grams
- Sodium: 120 to 200 mg
These are the YELLOW cut-off points shown in Table 2.
10) What are the RED cut-off points for packaged products (per serving)?
- Saturated fat: more than 5 grams
- Trans fat: contains trans fat (no matter how insignificant the amount is)
- Added sugar: more than 20 grams
- Sodium: more than 200 mg
These are the RED cut-off points shown in Table 3.
11) What if a Nutrition Facts label does not declare dietary fiber?
The assessment table indicates that sugar or total carbohydrate may be used if there is no dietary fiber declaration.
12) How are non-packaged foods/drinks classified?
The enclosure provides sample lists of foods and drinks categorized into GREEN, YELLOW, and RED to guide classification when Nutrition Facts are not available.
13) What drinks are examples in the GREEN category list?
Examples listed include unsweetened milk, safe and clean water (nothing added), and fresh buko water (unsweetened).
14) What drinks are examples in the RED category list?
Examples include soft drinks, sports waters/sports drinks, flavored mineral water, energy drinks, sweetened waters, and powdered juice drinks.
15) Are products containing caffeine allowed in school canteens?
The RED list includes “any product containing caffeine” (for school canteens).
16) What is the recommended decision rule for building the canteen’s “healthy menu”?
Compare an item against the category criteria: if it fits GREEN, include it; if it fits RED, it must not be sold; if neither clearly GREEN nor RED, it is YELLOW and should be limited (once or twice a week, smaller servings, not too prominent).
17) Does the policy provide suggested ways to improve food items?
Yes. The enclosure provides specific preparation and cooking suggestions such as using cooking methods with little or no oil (steaming/boiling/sautéing/pan frying/baking), removing visible fat and poultry skin, using oils sparingly, reducing salt, avoiding artificial flavours, using natural herbs/spices, reducing condiments, and removing excess oil from soups/stocks.
18) What does the Order require related to drinking water and sanitation in canteens?
It lists WinS-related requirements such as availability of clean, safe, and free drinking water; handwashing facilities; proper and safe food handling; clean utensils; proper waste segregation; and a safe, clean eating environment.
19) Are signages required in canteens and food-serving areas?
Yes. The policy states that canteens/food-serving areas should post signages that only healthy food and drinks are served, along with nutrition messages such as NGF, Ten (10) Kumainments, Pinggang Pinoy, and others.
20) Does the policy address “baon” (packed foods from home)?
Yes. Schools shall advise parents/guardians to provide healthy foods and beverages to be consumed in school, and school children shall not bring unhealthy foods and beverages to school.
21) Are school activities allowed to be used to market unhealthy foods and beverages?
The policy states that school activities where children gather shall not be used to market unhealthy foods and beverages to children, and it outlines marketing forms such as advertising, sponsorship, and promotion.
22) Is marketing of RED category foods and beverages allowed in DepEd offices/schools and school/education events?
No. Marketing of RED category foods and beverages shall not be allowed in DepEd offices/schools and school/education events, and it lists multiple forms (e.g., print, outdoor ads, point of sale, vending machines/refrigerators, branding, new media, characters, free samples, special events).
23) Does the policy set a timeline on branded equipment in schools?
Yes. Schools are given three (3) months to replace/remove refrigerators and other equipment/facilities with logo or brand name of unhealthy foods and beverages.
24) Who is responsible for implementing and monitoring this policy?
The enclosure outlines duties and responsibilities across governance levels and schools and indicates that compliance monitoring is expected (including quarterly monitoring by regional monitors and monthly monitoring by division monitors).
25) When does DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2017 take effect?
The policy shall take effect immediately.
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