The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed its support for a proposed calorie labeling policy in Quezon City, aiming to help individuals make healthier dietary choices. The local government of Quezon City has passed an ordinance that mandates large and mid-sized restaurants to display calorie information for each food item on their menus. This initiative, which is awaiting Mayor Joy Belmonte’s signature to be enforced, is a collaboration between the government and public interest group ImagineLaw. The goal of the calorie labeling policy is to promote a healthier food environment and reduce obesity and diet-related diseases. According to a 2019 survey by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, around 27 million Filipinos are overweight and obese. The World Health Organization emphasizes that the increase in obesity is largely due to the availability, affordability, and marketing of processed foods high in unhealthy ingredients. The DOH is also encouraging the public to maintain a balanced and varied diet, limiting processed foods and opting for healthier choices with regular physical activity.
