De Lima wants restos, fast-food chains to provide calorie count in menus

A bill that requires restaurants and fast-food chains to display calorie-content and nutritional information in their menu to help curb obesity and improper diet among Filipinos was filed at the Senate, earlier this week

"Nutrient content information provided at the time of food selection in food service establishments would enable consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices, promote health awareness and proper dieting, and assist consumers who are monitoring their diets or dealing with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes," Senator Leila de Lima said in a statement released, Friday.

Under Senate Bill 1621 or the "Nutritional Information Disclosure Act of 2017," food providers will be mandated "to display calorie content information on the menus of away-from-home foods."

Besides restaurants, food served in "salad bars, buffet lines, cafeteria lines or similar self-service facilities" should also display calorie-content information "clearly and conspicuously" on menu boards.

"The health conscious have to guess at the nutritional content of meals taken in restaurants. On the other hand, those who are less aware of the need for proper dieting are left unaware of the nutritional values that they intake," De Lima said.

Under the proposed measure, operations of non-compliant food establishments will be suspended, while business owners will be fined P300,000 for the first violation, and P600,000 for the second violation.