Calories on Menus

JuliusCaesar

I was just reading "Putting calories on menus in Ireland" (the draft version) and Annex 1 (Section 2:10) states:

Use low-fat ingredients where possible
Use low-fat ingredients where possible.
– Milk – Use low-fat or skimmed varieties
– Mayonnaise – Use low-fat or ‘light’ varieties
– Cream cheese – Use low-fat or ‘light’ varieties
– Butter – Use low-fat polyunsaturated spreads

But don't low-fat ingredients often have the same or higher calorie values as the full-fat versions? And by being processed much more than the original version (spread vs butter), aren't they often unhealthier?

Anyway, you've probably all read this and contributed to the Public Consultation so merge/move this thread if so. Am just wondering what the views here are.

Mellor

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

But don't low-fat ingredients often have the same or higher calorie values as the full-fat versions?

No. The low fat version would have lower calories. At least in a "per 100g" sense. I don't know of any that have higher, but some might exist, but I be surprised if they did. However;

And by being processed much more than the original version (spread vs butter), aren't they often unhealthier?

Yup. Fat free yogurts can still be high in sugar. Total calories/100g isn't a decent measure of "healthiness".

There's also the issue of amount used. Lite or fat free version are often so bland that people tend to use extra to taste them, which means the calories per serve are higher. Not an issue in a commercial situation, I suppose.

JuliusCaesar

Anyway, the Food Safety Authority says:

Thank you for contacting the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. There has been no update on plans for the Minister or the Department of Health to legislate for calories on menus. We will publish any updates through the healthy eating section on our website: http://www.fsai.ie/science_and_health/healthy_eating.html