Menus to start counting calories

THE Government today launched a new calorie labelling scheme to help diners watch what they eat in restaurants and other food outlets.

The Food Standards Agency wants to see more consistent information made available to people eating out, and is in talks with a number of companies which will adopt the scheme later this year.

Under the plans, calorie information will be printed on menus and other materials visible where customers order their food. An FSA survey found 85 per cent of people thought restaurants, cafes and pubs should make clear what is in the food they serve, and 80 per cent said the information would be most useful at the point where they chose what to eat.

Tim Smith, the FSA's chief executive, said: "This is the first and simplest step and can only be a good thing for all consumers."

The Government hopes it will encourage the food industry to support healthy eating as part of a wider attempt to deal with mounting levels of obesity. Some US cities have attempted similar measures.

The catering industry says there may be problems assessing the calorie content of menus that change every day.