Now Government wants us to digest calorie counts with our sandwiches and beer
By Ryan Kisiel
Last updated at 9:55 PM on 13th March 2011Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Fast food and sandwich chains are to display calorie counts on menus to help customers fight the flab, ministers are due to announce this week.
Beer mats and glasses in pubs will also display alcohol units under the new Government package.
The larger fast food chains are introducing healthier meals through a voluntary agreement between the industry and the Food Standards Agency.
Calorie count: Fast food chains and sandwich bars will have to put the number of calories in each meal to help customers fight flab
KFC will start selling healthier griddled chicken along with fried, while Pizza Hut is promoting a low-calorie menu that encourages diners to eat salad.
Burger King and McDonald’s are expected to lead the way with a host of other outlets in introducing the calorie menus from September.
The calorie count scheme mirrors a compulsory regime adopted in New York last year that has led to an average reduction of 50-100 calories for each order placed.
The action is part of the Government’s ‘responsibility deals’ that insists that voluntary agreements are faster than legislation and cost less to the taxpayer.
Companies will pledge to reduce salt by 15 per cent, in a step towards the Government’s target of an adult’s daily intake not exceeding six grams in its scheme on food, alcohol, physical activity, health at work and behavioural change.
FSA chief executive Tim Smith pointed out that shoppers can choose what to buy thanks to product labels showing the levels of calories, fat, sugar and salt.
‘There is no good reason why people should not be able to come to the same conclusion when they are standing in front of a sandwich counter or in a fast food outlet,’ he said.
Mr Smith said there was also scope for TV chefs to set a good example. ‘I wince every time I see the amount of (salt) seasoning that they suggest is normal,’ he said.
Pizza Hut chief executive Alasdair Murdoch backed the scheme, saying: ‘We are always looking at improving the way we inform our customers, which is why we are happy to support the FSA’s initiative and have volunteered to take part in a trial to determine what nutritional information is most helpful to our customers.’
However, the move has faced opposition from the British Hospitality Association amid claims it will add to business costs and threaten jobs at a time when small food outlets are struggling for survival.
The association’s chief executive, Bob Cotton, said: ‘This would be an interesting idea under normal circumstances, but for goodness sake, now is not the time.’
Salad anyone: Pizza Hut will try and encourage customers to order a healthier option and start promoting salad
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domenica, marzo 13, 2011
Now Government wants us to digest calorie counts with our sandwiches and beer
via dailymail.co.uk
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