Takeaway health

By Jeff Allder, National Consumer Council

In July NCC released the report Takeaway Health which looked at the availability of nutrition information in seven leading takeaway restaurant chains. We wanted to find out how easy it is for customers to make healthier choices.

The results showed that although nutrition information is available in some of the leading chains, it was often hard to find and difficult to understand. Some companies offered information in leaflets or on tray liners after food has been purchased, others offered no information in store at all. We also looked at the nutrition content of food on offer and found that often meal options were high in salt, saturated fat and sugar – making it even harder for people who are trying to eat more healthily.

To see if there is a consumer appetite for a policy of simple to use nutrition information at restaurants we asked people their views. Our results showed that nearly three quarters (72%) would find such information useful and 60 per cent said they would use such information to pick healthier choices.

It’s important that people can choose a healthy option if they want one, especially with consumers’ growing appetite for fast food and the rise of obesity and diet-related illnesses. The NCC is calling for takeaway restaurants to take up the challenge and provide clear, effective, easy to understand nutrition information on menu boards or menus. We also want to see more healthy options on menus with lower saturated fat, sugar and salt levels.

To find out more go to www.ncc.org.uk

Consumers want extra helpings of information when eating out

A survey by the Food Standards Agency has also shown that people want to be able to make informed choices when eating out, not only in takeaways but also in restaurants and cafés.

The Agency surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK to provide a snapshot of what consumers want when they eat out.

Restaurants, pubs, canteens and cafés have a responsibility to make it clear what is in the food they serve according to 85% of those surveyed. Respondents were also asked where nutritional information could be shown most usefully and 81% said they would like to see it at the point when they order food, such as on the menu in a restaurant, or visible when they are buying a sandwich or a muffin in a coffee shop or cafe.

Catering outlets that hold the healthyliving award are already highlighting the healthier choices on the menu or at the servery, making it easy for customers to eat healthily.

You can view the full survey results at: www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/jun/eatout

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