Dr. Mary Flynn, chief specialist, Public Health Nutrition, FSAI and Dr. James Reilly, Minister for Health, discuss the best way of putting calorie information on Irish menus at the FSAI's recent national consultation
Health Minister Dr James Reilly believes putting calories on menus has proved effective elsewhere in battling obesity and wants Ireland to adopt the measure
Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, believes putting calorie information on menus in other countries has proved successful, and wants Ireland to “emulate that success” here.
The display of calorie information on menus is set to become widespread in fast-food outlets and cafés across Ireland in a bid to combat rising levels of obesity.
At the start of the month, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) announced a national consultation to seek opinions on the best way of putting calorie information on menus here.
Ireland currently has the second highest rate of obesity in Europe, with two out of every three men and over half of all women being either overweight or obese. Research shows that displaying ‘calories on menus’ helps consumers to make healthier and more informed choices about what they eat and encourages them to eat smaller portions.
Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, first began the initiative late last year by writing to fast food outlets and cafés requesting that they consider including calories on their menus.
The consultation, which will close on 29 February 2012, offers an opportunity for consumers and the food industry to give their views on how ‘calories on menus’ can be best implemented in Ireland. The FSAI has invited all interested parties to share their views by completing a short online questionnaire on the association’s website.
Dr Reilly commented to press that: “This train is leaving the station…if industry doesn’t comply, we will legislate.
“Displaying calories on menus has been shown to be effective in other countries [in tackling obesity]. We want to emulate that success here and I have already had a very positive response from fast food outlets and cafés and would strongly encourage the wider food service sector in Ireland to embrace this initiative,” said Dr. Reilly.
Attending the launch, Ray Farrelly, head of communications with McDonalds Restaurants Ireland, said he was “delighted” that the consultation process had begun, and added that the group will make a submission on the initiative. In the UK, McDonalds already displays its calorie information on menus.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Ireland, also welcomed the consultation process, but questioned whether it would prove to be too costly for smaller outlets, stating that the move cost one Dublin restaurant €10,000.
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