You Won’t Believe What’s Now Required in QC Restaurants—And It Could Save Your Life!

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In a pioneering move to promote public health, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has enacted an ordinance mandating that restaurants, fast-food chains, and other food establishments display calorie counts on their menus. This initiative aims to empower residents to make informed dietary choices, thereby reducing the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.

Mayor Belmonte emphasized the ordinance's significance, stating, "With calorie labeling, QCitizens have the power to make healthier food choices because they have the correct information." 

Implementation Phases

The ordinance will be rolled out in stages to ensure a smooth transition:

First Year: Applies to restaurants or food businesses that are part of a chain or franchise with five or more branches nationwide.

Second Year: Extends to establishments with two or more branches.

Third Year: Encompasses all restaurants and food businesses within Quezon City.

Notably, barangay micro businesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises, such as ambulant vendors, hawkers, and carinderia owners, are exempt from this ordinance. However, Mayor Belmonte has offered incentives to these smaller establishments if they voluntarily include calorie counts in their menus. 

Health Implications

Data from the Quezon City Health Department underscores the pressing need for this initiative:

Nearly 20% of adult residents suffer from high blood pressure.

In 2018, 19.9% of school-age children and 43% of adults were found to be overweight or obese.

By providing calorie information, the local government aims to combat these alarming statistics and foster a healthier community.

Broader Impact

This ordinance positions Quezon City as a trailblazer in public health advocacy in the Philippines. Atty. Sophia San Luis, executive director of public interest law group ImagineLaw, lauded the move, stating, "This is the first of its kind in the country, and as a pioneer in calorie-labeling, we hope that QC inspires more cities and municipalities to do the same." 

The Department of Health has also expressed support, noting that such measures enable Filipinos to make informed and healthy dietary choices, ultimately reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases like heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

Conclusion

Quezon City's calorie labeling ordinance represents a significant step toward enhancing public health. By equipping residents with essential nutritional information, the city empowers its citizens to make healthier choices, paving the way for a future with reduced lifestyle-related health issues.

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