Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012
644 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a directive through the Environmental Health Section of the Health Service Executive that all fast food restaurants that display menu boards featuring children’s menus and read by parents would include a calorie count to run alongside the price of the product displayed, this directive could be considered in line with a Government policy to tackle child obesity. [9539/12]
View answerIn an effort to combat the dangerous levels of obesity in all age groups of the Irish population, including young children, and as one measure among many recommended by the Special Action Group on Obesity, late in 2011 I wrote to Fast Food Companies and Cafes operating here in Ireland to request that they introduce calorie posting on menus in their restaurants, on a voluntary basis immediately. The responses received to date have been positive.
Early in February 2012, I launched the Food Safety Authority of Ireland's public consultation to seek opinions on the best way of putting calorie information on menus in Ireland. This consultation presents consumers and the food industry with a unique opportunity to give their views on how ‘calories on menus' can be best implemented in Ireland. The consultation will close on 29th February, 2012 and the results, when analysed, will inform the next steps in the process.
