DOH is Considering Banning ‘Mukbang’ Vlogs in the Philippines
The Department of Health is considering banning ‘mukbang’ vlogs in the Philippines following the death of a vlogger in Iligan City.
The health department is exploring the possibility of banning ‘mukbang’ vlogs in the Philippines after the vlogger’s death in Iligan City who created such content. Mukbang is a trend where content creators consume large amounts of food on camera.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has issued a public health warning about mukbang videos and is considering regulations in response to this incident. Herbosa explained that overeating is not healthy. It can lead to obesity, which in turn can cause hypertension, heart conditions, and other non-communicable diseases.
Studies suggest that watching mukbang videos may contribute to eating disorders or internet addiction. There’s also concern that viewers might imitate this behavior, especially given the potential for earning money through such content.
DOH may take steps to prohibit such content if a link is established between mukbang and the vlogger’s death.
“You are promoting unhealthy behavior to the Filipinos….I can ban it locally. I can propose banning mukbang locally. Even ask the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) to stop those sites. [It’s like] food pornography,” Herbosa stated.
However, some food vloggers defend the practice. One vlogger named Richard claimed that their videos help viewers with poor appetites regain their desire to eat. He also emphasized personal discipline in eating habits outside of filming.
YouTube, a popular platform for such content, stated that they closely monitor videos related to eating disorders. The DOH is considering issuing a local administrative order to ban mukbang content.
“It’s asking, making people eat like gluttons. You can earn income as long as it does not produce health risks. If you’re earning from something that is a public health threat, I will have to stop you,” he added.
The Department of Health plans to address the issue of mukbang and deaths caused by overeating through its Health Promotion Bureau.
In a previous post, a food vlogger earns reactions over mukbang of giant clams
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