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Food calorie labelling could lead to increase in processed food warns hospitality sector veteran

27th Aug 2019 - 10:01
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Food calorie labelling could lead to increase in processed food warns hospitality sector veteran
Abstract
Robert Humphreys, former honorary secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has warned that compulsory calorie labelling in Scotland for out-of-home food could result in increased consumption of processed food.

Humphreys, said: “I am most sympathetic with the objective of reducing obesity but believe that paradoxically such a change would have the opposite effect while also creating other perverse incentives.

“Intervention which led to a significant shift away from fresh ingredients prepared on the spot and towards greater dominance of the market by major food processors would be hugely detrimental to public health and to the culinary reputation of the UK nationally and internationally.”

Food Standards Scotland has recommended that the Scottish Government introduce a mandatory calorie labelling system in a bid to reduce obesity in Scotland.

Nearly 30% of adults and 13% of children in Scotland are considered obese. By 2030 the Scottish Government will attempt to reduce childhood obesity by 50%. 

 

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Written by
Edward Waddell