The average man eats about a quarter of his daily calories dining out, and women around a fifth. In fact the average person eats one in every six meals out. The choices we make while dining out can go a long way to help us to maintain a balanced diet.
To help people make healthier choices when they eat out, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is working to introduce voluntary calorie labelling in catering outlets. The FSA should have a group of companies acting as early adopters with calorie information on menus and other materials from summer 2009 onwards.
In response to the scheme LACORS has received a number of queries from the food industry about what enforcement approach would be taken by councils towards voluntary calorie declarations. Understandably there is concern that any involvement in the voluntary calorie scheme could see an increased, and potentially disproportionate, enforcement action from councils. The FSA have also had similar concerns raised.
As a result, LACORS put together a statement about enforcement on the voluntary calorie declaration scheme to re-assure the food industry. This statement has been put together after consultation with local authorities, including LACORS Trading Standards Policy Forum, Environmental Health Policy Forum and Food Labelling Focus Group for comments.
The statement is being shared openly with industry, and is available on LACORS and the FSA websites.
View LACORS statement on voluntary calorie labelling (you can also access this document in Adobe .pdf format: please click here)
View further information on the FSA calorie labelling scheme.
|
|