Jaimie's Italian, Harvester, Giraffe top new Out to Lunch league table ranking
The Soil Association's Out to Lunch campaign published a new table ranking the health of children’s food in 21 of the UK’s most popular restaurant chains.
Despite 'significant improvements made by a small number of chains' from the first league table two years ago, the Soil Association said that there is still widespread poor practice with many restaurants failing to serve fresh food or healthy choices.
According to the data, three chains still offered children free or discounted refills of high calorie sugary drinks as standard (Café Rouge, Frankie & Benny’s, Pizza Hut). Just two fizzy drinks will see a child stack up 17.5 sugar cubes.
As size does not determine position in the rankings, Jamie’s Italian (the smallest chain) and Wetherspoons (the second largest chain) are both in the top 5. Strada (the second smallest chain) and KFC (the third largest chain) are both in the bottom 5.
"Despite much continuing bad practice, it is clear that a revolution in kids’ food on the high street is underway. The league table reveals significant positive changes - 10 chains are serving a portion of veg or salad with every meal (up from 6 chains in 2013) and 9 chains include information on where ingredients come from on the menu (up from 5)," the Soil Association said.
Rob Percival from the Soil Association said; "Our 2015 league table includes big winners and big losers - adults expect to be offered real food and real choices in restaurants and we think children deserve the same. We’ve found some up-market eateries are designing menus that make healthy eating for children almost impossible, and price is no guarantee of quality - lower cost restaurants are outperforming more expensive chains. Since our first league table Harvester and Prezzo have proved it’s possible to make major improvements – we’re now calling on other restaurants to raise the bar and give our kids the food they deserve."
Jamie’s Italian topped the table with a great score of 64 out of 80 (up from 50 two years ago), and Prezzo was the biggest climber, moving 13 places to 6th position. Since 2013 the chain has introduced fresh fruit and an organic fruit lolly for desert, and has prioritised children and family enjoyment with an activity pack that includes activities related to fruit, veg, and healthy eating.
