Mukbang Ban in the Philippines: A Public Health Concern

The recent death of a popular mukbang vlogger has prompted the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines to consider implementing a Mukbang Ban Philippines, a trend where individuals broadcast themselves eating large quantities of food. This tragic incident has brought to light the potential health risks associated with such activities and the need for regulatory measures to protect public health.

Mukbang Content Creator's Death

A well-known vlogger from Iligan City, Dongz Apatan (real name, Manoy Apatan), passed away on June 13, 2024, after suffering a stroke. Apatan, who had a following of 460,000 on social media, was known for his mukbang content. The day before his stroke, he posted a video of himself eating several pieces of fried chicken and white rice. Sadly, he suffered a heart attack and lapsed into a coma before succumbing to a hemorrhagic stroke.

Family's Appeal Against Misinformation

In the wake of his death, Apatan’s family has appealed to the public to stop spreading misinformation about the cause of his stroke. They clarified that his stroke was not caused by a mukbang involving a “cow’s head,” which took place on June 1, 2024. Instead, the stroke occurred on June 13, 2024, after posting a mukbang video featuring fried chicken.

Source: Family Announcement – Dongz Apatan FB Page

DOH's Concerns Over Mukbang Videos

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted the health risks of mukbang activities, stating, “It’s a bad practice because people make content by overeating, and overeating is not healthy. It will lead to obesity, and obesity will lead to hypertension, heart conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and even heart attacks.”

The DOH is investigating whether mukbang contributed to Apatan’s death. If confirmed, the department may push for a Mukbang Ban Philippines on such content on local websites and social media platforms. Herbosa mentioned, “You are promoting unhealthy behavior [among] Filipinos. So I can ban it locally. I can propose… banning mukbang locally.”

Potential Regulatory Measures

Herbosa suggested that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) could assist in blocking sites that broadcast mukbang content, referring to it as “food pornography.” He stressed that online influencers can still monetize their content as long as it does not pose health risks. “If you’re earning income from something that is a public health threat, [then] I have to stop you,” Herbosa added.

For now, the DOH plans to issue a public health warning and possibly an administrative order to prohibit overeating.

Mukbang: A Double-Edged Sword

Mukbang can be beneficial to a certain extent, depending on the audience’s needs. For instance, I personally enjoy watching mukbang videos while practicing intermittent fasting, as it helps to appease my hunger. However, if mukbang poses a significant health risk to the content creators, it would be better to ban it to protect their well-being.

Conclusion

The potential Mukbang Ban Philippines underscores the importance of promoting healthy behaviors and addressing the risks associated with extreme eating habits. As the DOH continues its investigation, the public is urged to be mindful of the content they consume and create, prioritizing health and well-being over entertainment.

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By sharing our stories and experiences, we can help raise awareness about the dangers of unhealthy eating practices and encourage a culture of health and safety in our communities.