QC to mandate calorie count, other nutritional info on restaurant menus

The local government of Quezon City has passed an ordinance mandating restaurants and other food businesses to include the calorie counts on their menus.

Under the Ordinance 3254 or the “Calorie Labeling Ordinance” of Quezon City, businesses would be mandated to disclose calorie content, nutrients of concern, and the reference daily calorie requirement on their menus.

Calorie calculations must also be conducted by a laboratory accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a registered nutritionist-dietitian, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Menu Eval Plus tool certified by a registered nutritionist-dietitian, or other processes prescribed by the lead agency.

“It is hereby declared the policy of Quezon City to protect and promote the health and nutrition of its citizens and to provide consumers with nutrition information so that they can make informed and healthier food choices,” read the ordinance.

“Towards this end, the Quezon City Government shall endeavor to establish a healthy food environment within Quezon City by requiring food businesses to display calorie count in their menus and make other nutrition information available,” it added.

The ordinance intends to promote health and nutrition among residents by providing nutrition information to help with creating healthier choices.

There will be three phases of implementation. Phase 1 will cover five or more locations or branches of the same name within the first year of implementation.

On Phase 2 or the second year of implementation, it shall cover businesses with two to four branches and hotels, while all food establishments would be covered by the third year of implementation or Phase 3.

Failure to comply would subject the offender to a fine of P1,000 for the first offense up to P5,000 for the fourth and subsequent offenses.

Under the second offense, business owners would be mandated to attend a training on proper compliance and would be issued a cease-and-desist order for the third offense.

The fourth and subsequent offenses would lead to the revocation of their business permits.

The ordinance will be enacted on February 5. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News