FSA calls for clear pub food labelling

Pubs have a responsibility to make it clear what is in the food they serve, according to a new survey from the Food Standards Agency.

The FSA questioned over 2000 people and 85% agreed that pubs, restaurants and cafes should make it clear what they are serving.

81% of people said they would like to see nutritional information at the point of ordering food, in order for it to be most useful.

Overall 63% of people said they would like information about what is in their food when they eat out - 41% wanted information and food to be made healthier by catering establishments, while 22% wanted food to remain the same but wanted nutrition information about it.

FSA chief executive Tim Smith said: "When we buy food from a retail outlet, it's very clear from the packet what's in the food and we then have control how much salt and fat we add at home. When we eat out, we are asked to suspend any interest in nutritional content of food as the information isn't universally available.

"Mums are the gatekeepers when it comes to choosing food for their family and the information that's available when eating out should be the same as in the retail environment, when choice is governed by range, price and good nutritional information. When she goes to a restaurant, she wants the same quality of information to help steer choices for her kids. Having that choice gives parents reassurance that they're managing, in an appropriate way, the food their children eat."

The call for food labelling follows the Local Government Association's (LGA's) call for "better promotion of healthy options when people eat out" in its plan to tackle obesity.