[Dave!]

I didn't see any mention of this on Boards yet, though it's been in the news the last couple of days... What do we think of this initiative?

It presents a few logistical problems for restaurants that e.g. decide their menus on the morning, depending on the fresh ingredients they get. It makes a bit more sense when it's in the likes of chippers and other fast-food places, although I'm not sure the obese people are the ones who would pay any attention to the calories -- it'd be the people who are health-conscious already. It might make it easier for these people to monitor their intake though.

But for some of the upmarket restaurants, how often would a person go to one of these? Once or twice a month? They're not contributing much to obesity, it's the daily meals that make the difference.

Independent.ie
Health Minister James O’Reilly gives firms six months to put calorie labels on food
By Mark O’Regan
Wednesday July 04 2012

FOOD businesses have six months to get in shape and introduce calorie menu labelling on a voluntary basis - or else face the introduction of a compulsory scheme.

Minister for Health James Reilly has backed a call by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for the introduction by food businesses to clearly show the calorie content of meals and portions they serve.

The authority recommends a ‘transitional period’ so that the scheme be introduced on a voluntary basis at first to allow businesses to develop the necessary technical tools to help the industry adjust to the change.

A new report published yesterday by the Authority shows 96pc of people support the introduction of calorie menus in all food outlets. A further 89pc say the calorie content should be clearly displayed beside the food and drink items on the menu. Some 84pc of consumers say labelling should also apply to alcoholic drinks.

“This is an issue I feel very strongly about and one I’d like to see come in by way of voluntary initiatives on behalf of the industry,” Minister Reilly said yesterday.

“I’ve met with some of the major chains such as McDonalds and Subway and they have already engaged with this process but sadly others have not. What are we afraid of that we don’t want to put the calorie content up. I want to empower people to make the right choice; we’re not about forcing people to eat differently, it’s about allowing them to make an informed decision.”

- Mark O’Regan

[davet82]

I hope they dont do this, ignorance is bliss

[drunkmonkey]

Its a daft law created by a fatty for fatty's. Fatty shouldn't be allowed to be minister for health. That's 2 obese health ministers in a row, madness.

[Steven81]

The times people go to a restaurant they wouldnt want to be conscious of what calories they are going to eat, on a daily basis good idea though

[HazDanz]

At least it's a start. Obesity is going to cripple this nation sooner rather than later so it's nice to see some initiative to come in which will allow people to be more conscious of what they are putting into their mouths.

[chin_grin]

Originally Posted by davet82

I hope they dont this, ignorance is bliss

You accidentally a word there!

Terrible idea as those who go to restaurants are deciding to treat themselves anyway, not feel guilty for getting a steak over the salad.

Anyway I don't think people pay any attention to these counts at all, nor do they know what their recommended calorific intake would be day to day or what they would need to do to work that off.

[RobbieTheRobber]

Yeah now i can play calorie top trumps everytime I go for a meal with friends or family.


Whats that 800 calories in your main, well my starter has that many Winner winner you pay for dinner.

[My name is URL]

Seems a bit stupid to me. It's all well and good including calorie counts on the likes of McDonalds menus, which are rarely changed.. but it would be very difficult for a restaurant that alters its menu every few days or weeks.

Making it even more difficult for businesses to operate at a time when many are already struggling to do so.. Well played Ireland

[chin_grin]

Originally Posted by My name is URL

Seems a bit stupid to me. It's all well and good including calorie counts on the likes of McDonalds menus, which are rarely changed.. but it would be very difficult for a restaurant that alters its menu every few days or weeks.

Won't somebody please think of the admin costs!

[DEFTLEFTHAND]

James needs to follow these guidelines carefully himself. He's quite a tubby chappy.

Over at Labour something has to be done with Pat Rabbitte. He has an enormous gullet, kind of like what you'd see on a frog. Must be all that hot air building up.

[prinz]

Yeah I think it's a good idea, and I'd definitely pay attention to it tbh when eating out.

However I can see a problem for restaurants depending on the catch of the day in sea food etc, but it shouldn't really present a major obstacle, I'm sure estimates would do, say x weight of a certain variety of fish is whatever etc.

[prinz]

Originally Posted by My name is URL

Making it even more difficult for businesses to operate at a time when many are already struggling to do so.. Well played Ireland

In fairness the same line was trotted out by publicans when the smoking ban was coming in, and tbh IMO it was a resounding success. I am happier now going to the pub.

[FizzleSticks]

Yes, I can't wait for this, I've seen it on a couple of places. Most places do not change their menu, the ones that do could have a sample menu with calories and calories for the staples, I know the nutrition of a serving potato or a bit of lamb but its everything added to it and portion size that will double or triple the calories. I also want more half portions without people being worried that they will "look cheap" if they order it, I'm a grazer so it suits me. I do believe that small cafes and pubs (sme's really) should be let off this if it is not financially viable (but example menus with even a guide to the nutrition info of the food they serve would do) but for the larger food chains there is no excuse.

Don't get the whole ignorance is bliss thing, it would be a bit like ordering food without knowing the price, but I don't focus on the price or let it take away from enjoying my meal out (oh god I hate when people complain about the price of food when you're out and also saying that when people are eating something while talking about how "fattening" it is, Jesus get a grip).

[Gone Drinking]

For cafes/chippers/fast food places - Yes, people frequent these the most and that's probably the cause of a lot of obesity

For decent restaurants - No, if you go to a restaurant, its usually once a month or so and its to pig out.

Thats my opinion at least

[seamus]

Originally Posted by My name is URL

Seems a bit stupid to me. It's all well and good including calorie counts on the likes of McDonalds menus, which are rarely changed.. but it would be very difficult for a restaurant that alters its menu every few days or weeks.

This is nonsense. Five minutes of googling and you can come to a reasonable estimate for any dish. If someone is incapable of this basic modern skill, then screw them.

This seems to be the main argument from restaurant owners, but it hold no water. Chefs are well capable of estimating the content of their dishes - it's an essential part of pricing them - so applying the same skills to calorie estimation is easy.

It's a matter of estimation/averaging, you don't have to break out a science lab and start making measurements.

As for guilt-free, not knowing the content of the dish doesn't mean the calories go away. If you know that you shouldn't be eating it, but you do anyway, then you're not really eating guilt-free, are you?

If this measure does occasionally make someone choose the steak over the salad because the numbers make them feel guilty, then great.

Other fun arguments were that, "Sure don't people already kinda know what they're eating anyway? What's the point in this". No, they don't. People really haven't a fncking clue what they're eating and think a Caesar salad is good for you because it contains the word salad and a steak is bad for your because it's red meat.

It's not any kind of solution on its own of course. It needs to be supplemented with public information campaigns and dietary education in schools.

If anything this could help restaurant businesses because people might feel more inclined to go out for dinner regularly if they can get dishes that are tasty but not loaded with calories, and businesses can slice ingredients off dishes to reduce the calorie count while maintaining the same price.