Calorie

Belmonte signs IRR of calorie labeling ordinance

January 31, 2025 Joel dela Torre 200 views

FOOD lovers will definitely like the menus on the tables to be offered by Quezon City restaurants soon.

This after QC Mayor Joy Belmonte signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the city’s calorie labeling ordinance.

Meaning, the law will officially be implemented in the city starting in December 2025.

Enacted on March 21 last year, the ordinance requires restaurants, fast food chains and other food establishments to publish the amount of calories per serving of food items on their menu.

With the signing, Belmonte said that restaurants in the city with five or more branches are one step closer to displaying calorie counts in their menus as part of the first phase of the implementation.

Barangay micro businesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises like ambulant vendors, hawkers, and karinderia owners are exempted from the ordinance.

In a media briefing held at Quezon City Hall, Mayor Belmonte shared that calorie labeling will help QCitizens make informed food choices by gaining insight into the number of calories they consume.

The initiative highlighted the city government’s commitment to improve the health of its constituents by creating an environment where they can make informed food choices as part of the Partnership for Health Cities, a prestigious global network of 74 cities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng hakbang na ito, mas magiging empowered na ang ating mga residente dahil kapag may calorie count labels na sa mga menu ng mga restaurant, may kapangyarihan ang QCitizen na pumili ng masustansyang pagkain. Dahil sa tamang impormasyon, maisusulong din natin ang isang lungsod na prayoridad ang pangangalaga sa kalusugan,” She stressed.

According to QC Health Department Head Dr. Ramona Asuncion DG Abarquez, covered food businesses must disclose the calorie content of their standard menu items in both printed and electronic menu boards.

“There will be three phases of implementation. In the first year, the ordinance will cover restaurants with five or more branches in Quezon City. In the second year, it will cover restaurants with two or more branches. Then in the third year, it will cover all food businesses in QC,” Dr. Abarquez explained.

As authors of the landmark ordinance, QC Councilors Bernard Herrera, Irene Belmonte, Aly Medalla, Banjo Pilar, and Ram Medalla ensure that the local government will support food businesses by providing adequate training and guidance on calorie and nutrient calculation tools, as well as in the design of calorie labels on menu boards.

In attendance during the media briefing were food business representatives and civil society organizations. They expressed support for the initiative committed to saving lives by preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer—and injuries.

“Quezon City has proven time and again that through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts, it is possible to tackle the problem of non-communicable diseases,” said Farhad Ali, Senior Manager for the Partnership for Healthy Cities at Vital Strategies.

Under the newly announced implementing rules and regulations (IRR), food businesses are required to display calorie content on their menus and menu boards. The information should be clearly visible near the item’s name or price and expressed in kilocalories (kcal).

The guidelines also include a provision for additional nutritional information—such as carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and sodium—available upon request. The daily calorie requirement is based on the Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI).

The guideline would apply to all standard food and drink items offered for sale, both in physical locations and online platforms.

The ordinance will be rolled out in three phases.

The first phase will cover large food chains with five or more branches, will start on Dec. 20 following the one-year grace period since its approval.

The rule extends to smaller businesses with at least two branches, as well as hotels, in 2026.

Full compliance will be required for all food businesses, except certain microenterprises and MSMEs in 2027.

To help businesses transition, the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) will provide training and technical assistance.

Belmonte said businesses that voluntarily comply ahead of schedule will receive incentives as recognition for their commitment to public health.

Businesses that fail to comply would be fined, including possible revocation of business permits for repeat offenders.

“This is a health crisis that demands immediate attention and action,” QCHD Head Ramona Abarquez said. With PNA

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