McDonald's to put calorie information on menus in UK

As from Wednesday, McDonald’s restaurants in the UK will display calorie information on their menu boards.

The move will fulfil the fast food chain’s commitment to the ‘Responsibility Deal’ and its pledge to calorie labelling in restaurants.

It is hoped by the end of the year 5,000 restaurants in the UK will display calorific details on its menus, after Pizza Hut, KFC, JD Wetherspoon and Pret a Manger also signed up to the pledge.

Additionally, Greggs, Burger King and Starbucks have agreed to introduce the labelling system to their outlets next year.

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It comes as research found showing nutritional information on menus does influence consumer’s choices and encourages them to choose healthier options.

As it is estimated McDonald’s serves three million meals a day across its 1200 outlets in the UK, it is thought the move will make it much easier for people to eat healthily while eating out on the high street.  

The Responsibility Deal is a new initiative adopted by the UK government to combat the growing issue of obesity and its related public health concerns.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley commented: “One in six meals are now eaten outside the home and for those meals we often have no idea how many calories we are eating.

“That is why this is such a great achievement by the Responsibility Deal.

“It will help people spot those hidden calories in their favourite foods and keep an eye on their waistlines,” he added.

Meanwhile, the President and CEO of McDonald’s UK, Jill McDonald, said of the pledge: “In March we announced our intention to extend the communication of nutritional information to our customers to include displaying calories on our menu boards across the UK.

“This move, as part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, supports the principles we believe are important: giving our customers clear information to help them make decisions that are right for them and provide a choice on our menu.”

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