Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/am70

Restaurants are going to be made put calorie counts on menus

Leo’s getting tough.

HEALTH MINISTER LEO Varadkar is to make restaurants publish calorie counts on menus after just 7% did so voluntarily.

An independent evaluation by University College Cork (UCC) on behalf of the Department of Health revealed that the vast majority of food businesses have not responded to the call to post calorie information on their menus.

This, Varadkar says, means that it must be made mandatory.

“We know that over 95% of consumers in Ireland want the calorie count of meals displayed on menus. It’s a proven way of changing consumer behaviour and independent evidence from the USA shows that calorie posting is very effective.”

Food service businesses say that they don’t display calories because of time and cost constraints and that doing so was not mandatory.

Data from UCC shows that almost a quarter of the total calorie intake of Irish adults under the age of 65 is consumed outside of the home.

Varadkar says that although the the obesity level in the country has stabilised, more needs to be done.

“The recent Healthy Ireland survey showed that 60% of Irish people are overweight.”

He said the Department of Health will “press ahead” with legislation making the posting of calorie counts mandatory.

Read: “What’s in it for me?” – Explosive RTÉ documentary shows politicians seeking cash

Read: Leo Varadkar’s “free market” health reforms are wrong – we must call for an Irish NHS instead

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
82 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds