The local government of Quezon City led by the city’s Health Department, in cooperation with ImagineLaw and Partnership for Healthy Cities has launched the “Calorie Labeling Ordinance” which requires food establishments to display the calorie content of the foods they offer on their menu to make the customers knowledgeable on the nutrition content of what they are about to consume. 

Under the signed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the ordinance will be following three phases of implementation:

First Phase (first year) – This includes food establishments with FIVE or MORE branches in Quezon City.

Second Phase (second year) – This includes food establishments with TWO or MORE branches in Quezon City.

Third Phase (third year) – This includes ALL food establishments in Quezon City.

In accordance with the ordinance, exemption but not prohibition from execution is given to barangay micro businesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises including ambulant vendors, hawkers, and carinderia. 

The implementation of Calorie Labeling Ordinance aims to empower QCitizens in making informed food choices through making them aware of the number of calories they will be taking. This also acts as a way of understanding the impact of food to improve one’s health and lifestyle.  

As for the food businesses, the city government will be providing adequate training and guidance regarding the calorie and nutrient calculation tools that they will be needing including the design of calorie labels on menu boards.

This is part of the city’s continued commitment to promote healthy diet among QCitizens.