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UK Proposes Calorie Disclosure Rules for Large Restaurant Chains

Ministers will seek public input on a plan to track average calories for chains that employ more than 250 staff with fines for missed reduction targets

Overview

  • Under the proposals, restaurants and fast-food outlets with over 250 employees would report average calories consumed per diner to the Department of Health.
  • The plan would impose calorie-reduction targets similar to the 100-calorie cut required of supermarket baskets, with financial penalties for operators that fail to comply.
  • Ministers have not finalized size thresholds or detailed measurement criteria and intend to launch a formal consultation to refine the rules.
  • Hospitality leaders, led by UKHospitality, warn the measures risk substantial bureaucracy, added costs, and higher prices for consumers.
  • Research indicates that mandatory calorie labelling alone has had limited impact on consumption, prompting calls for broader policy measures to tackle obesity.