With an increasing number of Britons eating out in cafes and restaurants, the Food Standards Agency set up a trial in which calories would be displayed next to the products, on the menus or by the till.
Something that fast food chains KFC and Burger King have failed to comply with. In fact, Pret A Manger is the only company out of 18 others to still display the calorie content next to the products.
Despite the rise in obesity and government plans and projects to combat the nations expanding waistlines, searching for the nutritional information of a product can be a mission. Many outlets only supply the information online and some stores such as Costa and Starbucks offer an in store leaflet which is only available on request.
Fast food chains such as Pizza Hut defended their decision to scrap the calorie counting system by saying it confused their customers.
Jackie Schneider, a spokeswoman for food and farming group Sustain said “It’s deeply disappointing,”
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has spoken out about obesity levels stating that people must take personal responsibility for their own lifestyle and choices. However, Jackie Schneider continued that in order for people to do so, “it’s imperative that companies give calorie information.”
