Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. has proposed an ordinance mandating restaurants and other similar establishments in the city to disclose the calorie count of every food they serve.
The proposed ordinance seeks to prevent the prevalence of obesity in the city. According to Yangot, there is a need to craft policies that address obesity as this condition is linked to noncommunicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases.
Referencing a survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), Yangot stressed that cases of obesity in the Philippines have been rising.
He said that, in 2021, four out of 10 adults were either overweight or obese, while one in 10 adolescents were in the same condition. He added that, in 2022, hypertension was the leading cause of death in Baguio City followed by cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
“Pursuant to Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the city government recognizes the need to disclose nutrition information for food and beverages made available to the public to help consumers make informed and healthier choices,” Yangot stated.
Once enacted, the ordinance will be implemented in three phases. For the first phase or during its first year, the ordinance will apply to businesses with five or more branches. In the second year (second phase), its coverage will expand to include hotels and businesses with two to four branches. In the third year (third phase), all restaurants and food establishments will be covered.
Exempted from the ordinance are Barangay Micro Businesses Enterprises as defined by Republic Act No. 9178 and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises as defined by Republic Act No. 6977. Other exempted businesses are those that do not offer standard menu items and those with daily specials, temporary menu items, custom orders, and other non-standardized menu items.
Businesses covered by the ordinance must display the calorie content of each food item next to its name on the menu. This must include the calorie count for each serving and for every combination meal. Other nutrition information such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, sugar, and sodium must be available in printed materials upon the customer’s request.
The calorie and nutrition calculation must be done by any laboratory accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any registered nutritionist-dietitian.
Exempted businesses that choose to disclose nutrition information will be provided incentives such as promotion and public recognition through various channels, and capacity training privileges.
Fines for non-compliant businesses range from P1,000.00 to P5,000.00 with additional penalties such as notices of violation, cease-and-desist orders, and revocations of business permits.
A Calorie Labeling Technical Working Group (TWG) consisting of various city government offices will be formed to oversee the implementation of the ordinance and conduct stakeholder consultations.
Capacity building programs will be implemented to assist businesses with proper calorie labeling and nutrition information disclosure. Information and education campaigns will also be launched to encourage businesses to reformulate their menus by including healthier food alternatives and to help the public make informed food choices.
The proposed ordinance was approved on first reading by the Baguio City Council and referred to the Committee on Health, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection for review. Baguio City – Sangguniang Panlungsod
