Nestle Philippines warns of micronutrient deficiency impacts among Filipinos

Nestle Philippines said on Thursday that micronutrient deficiency remains a concern among Filipinos, highlighting its possible impacts on the country’s overall performance.

“These micronutrients are important when it comes to kids’ growth and development, for them to perform in school,” Nestle Philippines Nutrition Advocacy Manager Edelwise “Ivy” Sicat told reporters in a press briefing.

“When it comes down to us adults, they are important so that we are productive in our workforce,” she added. “We need the energy and before we can utilize those energy, we need those micronutrients.”

The 2023 data from the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) showed that more than 75% of the country’s population is deficient in micronutrients.

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent across all generations of Filipinos, followed by calcium, vitamins A, C, B1, and B2.

“When you look at the plate of Filipinos, it’s mostly rice, and in the rural areas, it’s mostly vegetables, because meat is expensive,” Ms. Sicat said.   “They sell the meat instead of eating it so they can buy rice again.”

“If they were struggling to get healthy food back then, more so now and we are projecting that the numbers will worsen because of the  economic depression,” she added.

The local statistics agency reported food inflation at the national level remained at 5.3%, accounting for 30.3% or 1.9 percentage points of the overall inflation in July.

Cereals and cereal products, which include rice, corn, flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals, accounted for a 74.4% share or 3.9 percentage points.

Fish and other seafood trailed behind with a share of 25.1%, or 1.3 percentage points, while vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses accounted for 13.9%, or 0.7 percentage points.

As Filipinos continue to experience ‘hidden hunger’, the company warned that its effect may ripple into the country’s economic performance.

“Why is our  economy like this? It’s all because of the nutrition that we have,” Ms. Sicat said. “It would have an impact on how you perceive things, even your behavior, and your work performance.”

“It would have an impact now on your economic stability as well,” she added.

For its part, Nestle Philippines said it continues to offer science-based, fortified product options to help Filipinos meet their daily nutritional needs. In 2025, the company has provided 25 billion servings of its fortified products nationwide.

Among these products is Bear Brand Fortified Powered Milk Drink, which contains B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, zinc, vitamin D, calcium, protein, and vitamin A. 1.6 billion liters of milk are delivered annually to support children’s development and growth.

“We see this both as a responsibility and also as an opportunity,” Ms. Sicat said. “Responsibility because we are recognized as a nutrition, health and wellness company; at the same time, it is an opportunity for us to give back to the people who have been loyal to us.”

The stunting rate among children under five has reached 25.3%, up 1.7% from 2023, according to DOST-FNRI. Of these, 18.9% of children aged between five and 10 years and 21.4% of those aged between 10 and 19 years were affected. — Almira Louise S. Martinez