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08/12/2015
Calorie Count Scheme Must Be Made Compulsory - FG
A compulsory calorie count on menus is now needed following a low voluntary uptake by restaurants, Fine Gael's Catherine Noone has said.
The Senator and Dublin West candidate, highlighted an independent survey by the Department of Health which reveals 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," Deputy Noone said.
"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?"
(MH/CD)
The Senator and Dublin West candidate, highlighted an independent survey by the Department of Health which reveals 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," Deputy Noone said.
"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?"
(MH/CD)
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