QC’s anti-junk food law to be put to test with school opening

QUEZON CITY will begin implementation of its new law against junk food and sugary drinks as the new school year opens on June 4. Ordinance No. SP-2579, S-2017, or the Quezon City Anti-Junk Food and Sugary Drinks Ordinance, was approved on June 22, 2017 while the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) was finalized in January this year. The law prohibits the sale and promotion of junk food and sugary drinks within a 100-meter radius around every private and public school. Establishments caught violating the ordinance will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second, and P5,000 along with possible revocation of barangay or business permits for the third time. A task force led by the city’s Health Department is responsible for monitoring and implementing the law. Under the IRR, junk food includes, among others, “processed pre-packed snack food which are high in sodium and/or sugar such as chips, chicharon and popcorn” and street food defined as “unhealthy food, high in fat, calories and salt.” Sugary drinks include softdrinks, ‘palamig,’ flavored shakes, sweetened powdered drinks, and sports drinks, among others.