QC Mayor Joy Belmonte signs calorie labeling ordinance IRR

PHOTO: oy Belmonte with QC officials FOR STORY: QC Mayor Joy Belmonte signs calorie labeling ordinance IRR

Mayor Joy Belmonte (fifth from left) and Quezon City officials discuss the new calorie ordinance in a press conference. —Photo from her office

MANILA, Philippines — In a significant push towards promoting healthier eating habits, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the city’s calorie labeling ordinance.

Starting December 2025, restaurants with five or more branches operating in Quezon City will be required to display calorie counts on their menus, marking a crucial step in fostering informed and health-conscious food choices among residents.*

During a media briefing at Quezon City Hall, Belmonte emphasized the empowering effects of calorie labeling.

“With this step, our residents will be more empowered. When calorie labels are available on restaurant menus, QCitizens will have the power to choose healthier food options,” she stated. “With the right information, we can also promote a city that prioritizes health and nutrition.”

READ: Calorie labeling ordinance promotes informed food choices – Belmonte

PHOTO: Joy Belmonte with Quezon City councilors

Mayor Joy Belmonte with Quezon City councilors who authored the ordinance and city health officials in a press confeence. —Photo from her office

As detailed by Dr. Ramona Asuncion DG Abarquez, head of the Quezon City Health Department, the ordinance will be implemented in three phases. The first phase in 2025 will see larger establishments displaying calories; in 2026, those with two or more branches will follow, culminating in 2027 when all food businesses in the city must comply.

This initiative is not just about labeling. It reflects a broader commitment to public health.

QC Councilors Bernard Herrera, Irene Belmonte, Aly Medalla, Banjo Pilar, and Ram Medalla — who all championed the ordinance — are working alongside local government to assist businesses in transitioning smoothly to the new requirements. This support includes training on calorie calculation and label design, ensuring a fair implementation process.

While the ordinance sets high standards for bigger establishments, it acknowledges the challenges faced by smaller food businesses by exempting barangay micro-businesses and small vendors such as hawkers and carinderia owners from these regulations.

During the briefing, support for the initiative was echoed by representatives from food businesses and civil society organizations like ImagineLaw, highlighting community backing for healthier food practices.

The calorie labeling ordinance is part of a larger collaboration with the Partnership for Healthy Cities — a global initiative comprising 74 cities dedicated to combating noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Farhad Ali, senior manager for the Partnership for Healthy Cities at Vital Strategies, commended Quezon City for its innovative strategies to tackle public health crises.

Adopted on March 21, 2024, the calorie labeling ordinance aims to ensure that consumers can make informed choices about their dietary intake, potentially improving overall community health and well-being in Quezon City. With the signing of the IRR, restaurants now have clear guidelines and expectations in place, paving the way for a healthier future.

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