The Food Standards Agency (FSA) commences the first phase aimed at including nutritional data at some catering establishments for consumers when they eat out. This first step includes calorie labelling.

The FSA is liaising with some catering companies which will voluntarily add calorie data on menus. These outlets will also include additional nutrition information so that consumers can have better control over their daily calorie and nutrition intake.

According to the FSA, this introduction, which starts in the summer of 2009, will soon be published.

The introduction of this first phase was announced at a breakfast meeting in London, and included representatives of over 50 of the largest catering companies in the UK. During the meeting, initial feedback from qualitative research exploring consumers’ views on nutritional information while they were eating out was presented.

The research showed that:

— Where it is already available, consumers do use nutrition information when making healthier choices. Data is currently available in some restaurants, pubs, and coffee-shops.

— Most consumers are happy to have the information saying that it is their choice whether or not they use it.

— Consumers stress that the information needs to be clear and simple.

— Consumers want the information to be clearly visible – not hidden away somewhere so that they have to ask for it.

— The data must be consistent so that consumers may easily opt for healthier options.

— Having data which is presented in a similar format to what is already available in supermarkets and shops would be ideal, say consumers.

— Straightforward calorie information is crucial, say consumers.

Tim Smith, Chief Executive, FSA, said ‘There is no compelling reason why we shouldn’t see nutritional information when we eat out, as we are used to seeing it in supermarkets. As a family man, I know how important it is to have clear information in order to make decisions about the food we, our children and anyone else eat when we go out. Providing calorie information is supported by our consumer research and intuitively feels right too – this is the first and simplest step and can only be a good thing for all consumers. The Agency is keen to work closely with industry to see, as a first step, how calorie information can be provided in a clear, effective and simple manner across a range of catering settings.’

Source – Food Standards Agency

Written by – Christian Nordqvist