EU crackdown threatenedover pub menu labelling

by Max Gosney

Pubs failing to adopt clearer menu labelling to tackle obesity could face a European Union (EU) crackdown.

EU health and consumer affairs commissioner Markos Kyprianou warned the food industry that poor product labelling and junk food promotions targeting children would not be tolerated by the EU.

In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, Kyprianou said the European Commission would act if industry self-regulation did not succeed within a year.

"The signs from the industry are very encouraging, very positive. But if this doesn't produce satisfactory results we will proceed to legislation."

The EU warning comes after the Government's Public Health White Paper, launched in November 2004, backed the introduction of a traffic light-based system promoting healthy options on pub menus. However pub chefs have criticised the calls for a food signposting system.

Stephen Terry, head chef at the Pear Tree at Whitley in Wiltshire said: "No way would we introduce a traffic light code on our menus. The scheme might work for some operators but for us it would be like trying to teach our customers to suck eggs."

Food signposting schemes received a poor response from customers during Food Standard Agency trials in December 2004 and have been criticised as "ineffective" by industry figures.

David Leach, manager at the Fountain Inn at Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire, said: "I think a more effective way of reducing obesity would be to offer better guidance to the young about diet. I would like to think that most of our customers are aware of what's healthy and what's not."

Kyprianou will work with the food industryto agree new self-regulatory measures to be announced in March. The Food Standards Agency is also in discussions with industry chiefs about a food signposting system, with further details expected in the summer.