Government Proposes Calorie Reporting for Restaurants to Combat Obesity

The potential new government initiative suggests that restaurants with more than 250 employees may need to disclose the average number of calories their customers consume. This proposal comes from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as part of a broader strategy to combat obesity, aiming to encourage larger dining establishments and fast food chains to promote healthier eating options and help reduce the overall calorie intake of patrons.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, expressed frustration over the unexpected nature of these proposals, stating that they could lead to arbitrary targets and increase operational complexities and expenses for restaurants already facing challenges. She emphasized that the restaurant industry needs to maintain affordable prices and high-quality offerings for families looking to enjoy dining out.

According to the DHSC, these proposals are set to be put out for public consultation following the release of the government’s comprehensive ten-year plan addressing obesity. In previous efforts, large food establishments were mandated in 2022 to indicate calorie information on their menus, websites, and delivery platforms to empower consumers to make healthier choices. However, a 2024 study revealed that this labeling initiative did not significantly alter customers' purchasing or consumption patterns, despite increasing their awareness of calorie content in food items.

Dr. Megan Polden's research at the University of Liverpool involved a survey of over 6,000 individuals across various eateries and found that while people became more informed about calorie counts, their eating habits did not change significantly as a result. Tom Quinn from the eating disorder charity Beat responded to the findings by highlighting the potential detrimental effects of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders, suggesting it could exacerbate anxiety and lead to harmful eating behaviors.