Quezon City restaurants are a step closer to displaying calorie counts on their menus as Mayor Joy Belmonte officially signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the city’s calorie labeling ordinance.
Starting December 2025, food establishments with five or more branches in Quezon City must include calorie counts on their menus as part of the first phase of implementation. During a media briefing at Quezon City Hall, Mayor Belmonte emphasized that the initiative will empower QCitizens to make informed food choices by understanding their calorie intake.
“Sa pamamagitan ng hakbang na ito, mas magiging empowered ang ating mga residente. Kapag may calorie count labels na sa mga menu, QCitizens will have the power to choose healthier food options. With the right information, we can also promote a city that prioritizes health and nutrition,” said Mayor Belmonte.
Quezon City Health Department Head Dr. Ramona Asuncion DG Abarquez outlined the phased implementation:
- Phase 1 (2025): Restaurants with five or more branches must comply.
- Phase 2 (2026): Restaurants with two or more branches will be included.
- Phase 3 (2027): All food businesses in Quezon City must comply.
The ordinance, authored by QC Councilors Bernard Herrera, Irene Belmonte, Aly Medalla, Banjo Pilar, and Ram Medalla, ensures that food businesses receive government support through training and guidance on calorie and nutrient calculation tools, as well as menu label design.
Small-scale food businesses such as barangay micro enterprises, ambulant vendors, hawkers, and carinderia owners are exempt from the requirement.
Representatives from the food industry and civil society organizations, including ImagineLaw, expressed their support for the policy, which aligns with Quezon City’s partnership with the Partnership for Healthy Cities—a global initiative aimed at reducing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
“Quezon City has consistently demonstrated that through innovative strategies and collaboration, tackling non-communicable diseases is possible,” said Farhad Ali, Senior Manager for the Partnership for Healthy Cities at Vital Strategies.
Initially enacted on March 21, 2024, the calorie labeling ordinance is now backed by a clear timeline and implementation framework, marking a significant step in promoting health-conscious dining choices across the city.