![The Quezon City government introduces the redesigned restaurant menus on Thursday, January 30, 2025, ahead of the calorie labeling ordinance’s implementation in December.](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2025/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-31-at-19.09.02_0a200822.jpg)
The Quezon City government introduces the redesigned restaurant menus on Thursday, January 30, 2025, ahead of the calorie labeling ordinance’s implementation in December.
MANILA, Philippines — Picture this: You’re at your favorite fast-food restaurant, about to order your usual meal.
But this time, right next to the price, you see the calorie count displayed on the menu. Would you still go for it, or would you opt for a healthier alternative?
This is the decision Quezon City residents will soon face as the local government rolls out its calorie labeling ordinance — which is also the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
“This calorie labeling ordinance is the first in Southeast Asia, so pioneering talaga,” ImagineLaw Executive Director Sophia San Luis said during the launch of the ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations on Thursday.
(This calorie labeling ordinance is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, making it truly pioneering.)
“And in fact, a lot of other LGUs have reached out to us to work with them on a similar policy for their locality. Even legislators at the national level are also asking for the calorie labeling policy at the national level. So nangunguna po talaga ‘yung Quezon City talaga po pagdating dito (Quezon City is truly leading the way in this initiative), ” she added.
ImagineLaw, a public interest law organization, assisted the Quezon City local government in drafting the ordinance, facilitating focus group discussions and public consultations, and developing its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
With obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the rise, Quezon City has taken a bold step to promote healthier eating habits by mandating calorie transparency in food establishments.
A response to a growing health concern
According to the Quezon City Health Department, 40 percent of adults in the city have high cholesterol, and 19.16 percent suffer from hypertension.
More alarmingly, four in ten adults are overweight or obese, and one in ten school children faces the same issue. These numbers highlight an urgent need for intervention, the city’s health department said.
“An imbalanced calorie intake, whether too much or too little, can increase the risk of developing conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other micronutrient deficiencies,” Quezon City Health Department Head Dr. Ramona Asuncion Abarquez explained during a press conference on Thursday.
She pointed out that by requiring food establishments to display calorie counts, the city aims to equip consumers with the knowledge they need to make more informed dietary choices.
“One of the most effective ways to empower individuals to make healthier food choices is through transparent information,” Dr. Abarquez added
The health department chief likewise cited the World Health Organization in support of the ordinance, saying that calorie intake should be in balance with calorie expenditure to maintain a healthy diet and weight.
“If we consume more calories than we burn, these excess calories are stored as fat, which over time can lead to overweight and obesity. Conversely, consuming too few calories can also lead to malnutrition and other health complications,” Abarquez stated.
Hence, the ordinance aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, according to Abarquez.
What businesses and consumers should expect
Abarquez noted that the calorie labeling policy will be implemented in phases to allow food businesses to adjust and transition properly.
“The implementation of the ordinance will be done into three phases for food businesses offering standardized menus, meaning these menu items that use the same general recipe and are prepared in the same way,” she explained.
Phase 1 will start on December 21, 2025, which applies to food chains with five or more branches operating under the same name.
Quezon City Councilor and Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Sanitation Alex Bernard Herrera confirmed that this will include fast-food giants like McDonald’s, Jollibee, and KFC.
Phase 2 covers businesses with two to four branches and hotels, while Phase 3 expands to all other food establishments, except for barangay microbusiness enterprises, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.
However, Abarquez underscored that the ordinance does not apply to all menu items.
She noted that restaurants that do not offer standardized food options, daily specials, seasonal items or those available for less than 60 days per year, and condiments are exempt from the calorie labeling requirement.
“Measurement of calories of standardized food and beverage can be done either through laboratory analysis or manual calculations, based on food composition databases of authorized officials of the food businesses or an in-house registered nutritionist-dietitian,” Abarquez said.
For the penalties, Abarquez said the first offense would result in the issuance of a first notice of violation and a fine of P1,000.
For the second offense, a second notice of violation will be issued, along with a P2,000 fine. Additionally, the owner, president, general manager, or other accountable officers of the restaurant or food business must undergo training on proper compliance with the ordinance.
For the third offense, a third notice of violation will be issued, with a P3,000 fine and the issuance of a cease and desist order.
Bridging the gap for businesses
Understanding that businesses may need support in implementing the ordinance, the Quezon City government will provide assistance through various means.
Food establishments will have access to registered nutritionist-dietitians, testing laboratories, and government agencies that offer food calorie and nutrition calculations, according to Abarquez.
“Incentives will also be given to restaurants and food businesses not covered by the policy but voluntarily display calorie labels and disclose their nutrition information,” the Quezon City Health Department head added.
Abarquez also said the local government will conduct training sessions, workshops, and seminars on calorie and nutrient calculation tools, helping food businesses comply efficiently.
Empowering QCitizens through awareness
At its core, the calorie labeling ordinance is about giving people the ability to make informed choices about what they consume.
“Kapag tama ang pagpili, maiiwasan ng QCitizen ang sakit,” Abarquez emphasized.
(With the right choices, QCitizens can prevent sickness.)
The initiative aligns with global health recommendations that emphasize balancing calorie intake with physical activity, she added.
By raising awareness and providing necessary information, Quezon City hopes to foster a culture of mindful eating, and ultimately, reduce the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases.
As the city moves forward with its implementation, QCitizens can soon expect to see calorie information right on their menus — giving them the power to take control of their health, one meal at a time.