Scotland launches consultation on calorie labelling

The Scottish government has launched a consultation on plans to add the number of calories to menus in the out of home food sector including cafes, restaurants and takeaways.

A 12-week consultation will seek views on how this could apply to food and hospitality businesses depending on their size, public sector institutions such as hospitals and prisons, pre-packed food such as filled sandwiches, online takeaway menus and children’s menus.

It will inform whether legislation is introduced to make it a legal requirement for calories to be included on menus and forms part of the government’s wider actions to address obesity.

Since 6 April hospitality businesses in England with more than 250 employees have had to list calorie information for each dish.

Items that are on the menu for fewer than 30 days are exempt from the rule, but chefs have expressed concerns it could stifle creativity in the kitchen and have a negative impact on people with eating disorders.

It is understood ministers will review the regulations within five years and consider extending them to smaller businesses, which it is already encouraging to voluntarily adopt the plans.

UKHospitality Scotland's executive director, Leon Thompson, said: “It is vital that hospitality businesses in Scotland take the opportunity to get involved in the consultation on calorie labelling. Following this week’s introduction of calorie labelling in England, it is important that the Scottish government hears views from businesses on the impact such a scheme will have on them and their customers.

“There is already anecdotal feedback from businesses in England of the effects calorie labelling is having in terms of cost and resources, as well as customer relations. It is essential that that we avoid such pitfalls. Our businesses are still very fragile as they strive to rebuild after the pandemic - they need time to recover, free from further regulatory burdens.”