The Sangguniang Panlungsod on May 20, 2026 approved an ordinance requiring front-of-package nutritional information, calorie count, and safety warning in food products, restaurants, and food establishments in Davao City, and providing for penalties thereof.
The ordinance, with the shortened title “Davao City Nutritional Transparency Ordinance”, requires transparency in the nutritional content and health risks associated with packaged and prepared food products, especially those high in sugar, sodium, fat, and calories.
It enumerates the mandatory nutritional information to be displayed in all packaged food sold in Davao City, which shall be placed on the front of packaging.
All food and beverage establishments are also required to display food information such as calorie content and nutritional information per item on their menu and provide health risk warnings for items that exceed threshold levels of calories, sugar, sodium, or saturated fats using language that is clear, visible, and understandable to consumers.
The ordinance applies to all packaged food products sold within Davao City, either manufactured locally or imported and all food and beverage establishments, including but not limited to fast food chains, food delivery applications, restaurants, food kiosks, and cafes operating in Davao City.
Acts considered as violation of the ordinance that shall be reflected in the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) are failure to display front-of-package calorie or nutrient information; misrepresentation or inaccurate labeling of nutrient content; failure to display required health warnings; non-compliance with City Health Office-approved thresholds for unhealthy nutrients; failure to cooperate with the CHO inspection or monitoring activities.
Violators will face written warning and orientation for the first offense; a fine of Php 2,000 and a mandatory posting of violation notice in the establishment for seven days for the second offense; a fine of Php 3,000 and suspension of business permit up to 30 days for the third offense; and a fine of Php 5,000 and permanent revocation of business permit, subject to due process for fourth and subsequent offense.
The main implementing agency for the enforcement of the ordinance shall be the CHO, in coordination with Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The ordinance also provides for the creation of the City Nutrition and Healthy Food Council, which will oversee the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the ordinance. CIO Written by: K.Cañedo
Edited by: A.Nawal