Quezon City: The Quezon City government announced on Thursday the guidelines for the implementation of its calorie labeling ordinance to be implemented by the end of the year. In a media briefing on Thursday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said the ordinance aims to improve the health of its residents by providing them with the right nutritional information about the food they eat.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Calorie Labeling Ordinance, passed in 2023 and enacted in March 2024, mandates that restaurants, fast food chains, and other food establishments in the city clearly display calorie counts on their menus and menu boards. 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, starting on Dec. 20, 2025, 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, with possible revocation of business permits for repeat offenders.
During the briefing, QCHD Head Ramona Abarquez highlighted the urgency of the measure, citing alarming health trends in the city. “Our latest data shows that hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus were the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Quezon City in 2023,” Abarquez stated. “This is a health crisis that demands immediate attention and action,” she added.
