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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

Restaurants employing more than 250 staff could be forced to report average calorie consumption under Labour’s anti-obesity plans
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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.