Time for compulsory calorie counts on menus after low voluntary take-up by restaurants – Noone

Dublin Senator and Fine Gael candidate for Dublin West, Catherine Noone, has said that compulsory calorie counts on menus is now needed, after such a low voluntary take-up of the scheme by restaurants.

“An independent survey commissioned by the Department of Health has revealed that just 7% of food businesses are providing the calorie count information on their menus on a voluntary basis. This is very disappointing, especially considering the fact that 95% of consumers in Ireland want the calorie count of meals displayed on menus.

“The recent Healthy Ireland survey showed that 60% of Irish people are overweight, so this is clearly an area where action is needed and anything we can do to encourage healthy eating would be very welcome. We know, from experience in the United States, that calorie counting on menus is effective.

“I do know that this isn’t an easy change for businesses to make, but the Government is supporting them to introduce the initiative, including through the online calorie calculator provided by the Food Safety Authority.

“I very much welcome the fact that the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has already obtained Government approval to draft a Bill to make it compulsory for food outlets to display the calorie content of meals. The intention is to have this passed by the Oireachtas and enacted in 2016.

“I would encourage all restaurants to begin displaying calorie counts on their menus now. The public want it and we know it works, so why delay?”