Consultation on calorie labelling when dining out launched

The activity is part of the government’s plan to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

The UK government has opened a public consultation on introducing calorie labelling for food and drink consumed outside homes.

The 12-week-long consultation is said to assist families in making healthier choices about what they eat in restaurants, cafes and takeaways.

The consultation will also seek perspectives on how this would apply to small businesses, street vendors, restaurants with fast-changing menus and online takeaway businesses.

The plans are part of the government’s wider strategy to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

“Type 2 diabetes is on the rise, and is often both preventable and reversible. That’s why we are taking action through this consultation, and I would ask everyone to respond with their ideas on how we can make this work,” Public Health Minister Steve Brine said.

“People living with diabetes and more than three-quarters of the British public have told us that they want more information about what’s in the food and drink they buy, to help make healthier choices – especially when they’re out and about,” Helen Dickens, Assistant Director of Campaigns and Mobilisation at Diabetes UK, added.

Trade body UKHospitality continues to stress that such labelling will hit smaller businesses in the hospitality sector.

“UKHospitality has been very clear that any inflexible mandatory requirements will place considerable burdens on smaller businesses and those venues that change their menus regularly,” their chief executive Kate Nicholls said.

“At a time of economic and political uncertainty, and with costs continuing to rise for employers, the last thing businesses need is additional, unwieldy legislation. We will be making this point forcefully to the Government to ensure that any new rules are proportionate and take into account the challenges faced by SMEs.”