Operators review FSA calorie information scheme
A clutch of operators that took part in a Food Standards Agency (FSA) trial of labelling menus with calorie information have decided not to continue with the scheme.
However, rather than marking a complete abandoning of the project it is thought many operators are merely taking stock of the consultation following changes to the FSA's remit.
The trial, which was launched last summer, saw 18 of the UK's largest restaurants, sandwich chains and workplace caterers printing calorie counts next to products on the shelves, on menus or next to tills.
Reports yesterday suggested that KFC and Burger King had failed to commit to extending the trial and that Pizza Hut and Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) had abandoned theirs.
The FSA said that only five firms had agreed to give a "forward, long-term commitment" to display calories in outlets: Pret A Manger, Wimpy, Co-operative cafés, the Camden Food Company and the Real Greek.
However, Yum! Brands refuted claims it had "abandoned" the trial.
A spokesman for the group told M&C Report: "KFC is trialling in three restaurants and this hasn't changed since the launch of the trial.
"Pizza Hut isn't currently listing calories on menus at any restaurants, but it hasn't "abandoned" the scheme, as the Independent article suggested - it's working out how it can provide the information in a way that is more helpful to customers, and is still in discussions with the FSA - and whoever takes over responsibility for this in the coming months - about how else it can do this in the future."
A spokesman for M&B said both its Harvester and Toby brands both carry full nutritional information across their menus on the websites and were waiting for further guidance from the FSA post the pilot scheme.
He added: "Supporting the voluntary scheme enabled us to monitor customer reaction to the wide range of healthy options we serve and the many ways in which nutritional information can be communicated to guests.
"Following the conclusion of the trial we submitted detailed feedback to the FSA as part of the consultation process and await details of the proposed final scheme."
The FSA said: "We are currently reviewing the numerous responses we have had to our consultation on a calorie labelling scheme, and the trial undertaken last summer, which was independently evaluated and is just one element we are using to inform the development of our recommendations.
"We received responses from a broad range of external organisations, including many from the hospitality industry, which have generally been very positive."
