THE 18TH Davao City Council passed on third and final reading an ordinance requiring the city’s food service industry to include ‘half-rice’ option in their menu, even in posh food establishments, Tuesday, January 9.
Implementation, however, will be only after the ordinance has been published.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Marissa Abella, primarily to support the rice self-sufficiency program of the National Government and also to support the campaign to reduce rice wastage.
"Empirical evidences show that the availability of half cup of rice serving would minimize wastage of rice especially in the food service industry," Abella previously said.
The food service industry includes businesses, institutions, and companies responsible for any sale of meals including restaurants, schools, offices, hospitals, cafeterias, catering operations, fast-food chains and other food related services.
The ordinance requires the one-half cup option included in the menu priced at half the price of one cup.
The term food service industry exempts establishments engaged in eat-all-you-can or buffet meals unless they are serving plate-in or ala carte meals.
"Based on the ordinance, the information of availability of half-cup rice ordinance shall be mandatorily contained in the menu and be made known by the attending service crew, waiter, waitress or cashier to the consumer before the latter orders,” she said.
Food service industry found violating the ordinance or found refusing to include one-half cup rice in their menu shall face fines worth P1,500, P3,000 and one month suspension of license, or permit to operate, and P5,000 and permanent cancellation of the license or permit to operate, for the first, second and third offense, respectively.
The City Health Office (CHO) in coordination with the City Agriculturist Office (CAO) are tasked to be the lead agency in the inspection of food establishments and for purposes of implementing the ordinance.