Should takeaways be labelled with calories

The Department of Health and Social Care have launched a public consultation on how to introduce calorie labelling for food and drink consumed outside of the home. It is part of the government’s plan to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

Calorie labels are already widely displayed on packaged foods in supermarkets and in some big chains including Wetherspoons and Subway. The new plans are intended to make sure that labelling is applied consistently so that families know how much they and their children are eating when out.

Helen Dickens, assistant director of campaigns and mobilisation at Diabetes UK, (who are a member of the Sustain alliance) is keen to read the conclusions of the consultation:

“People living with diabetes and more than three-quarters of the British public have told us that they want more information about what’s in the food and drink they buy, to help make healthier choices – especially when they’re out and about. These bold, ambitious proposals from government are – if put into legislation – essential to making the healthy choice the easy choice for British consumers.

"The UK is facing a type 2 diabetes crisis. With around two-thirds of adults in the UK classed as overweight or obese, and therefore at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions, it’s really important that we have measures in place that make it easier for all of us to lead healthier lives. These measures are the next vital step in making this a reality and – potentially – beginning to stem the tide of type 2 diabetes.”

The consultation closes on the 7 December 2018.