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FRESHLY RELEASED POLLING has revealed widespread support for mandatory calorie information on restaurant menus despite plans to introduce the measure currently being off the table.
A Red C poll carried out for The Journal has found that 61% of respondents think calorie information should be introduced in all restaurants in Ireland. A further 12% said it should be introduced but only in restaurants with more than 250 staff.
A total of 21% said it should not be introduced while the remaining 6% said they did not know.
The proposal – which aims to help stop obesity- was hugely popular among parents who had dependent children, with 80% of this group backing the measure. Support among adults with no dependent children stood at 69%.
The polling company carried out online interviews with a random sample of 1,000 adults from across Ireland between 12-18 May.
The results come after last month the UK implemented mandatory calorie posting for food businesses with more than 250 employees.
What’s the story in Ireland?
The government has sought to promote calorie counts on menus dating back 10 years, when a voluntary scheme was introduced while James Reilly was Minister for Health.
Indeed, research carried out in Ireland nearly a decade ago found that many food businesses believed that calorie labelling was “imminent” due to consumers “wanting it”.
When the 2016-2025 Obesity Policy and Action Plan was released six years ago, developing legislation to make the nutritional information mandatory on menus was listed as a priority to commence within the first year of the plan.
Then-health minister Simon Harris revisited the matter in 2019, pledging to publish the legislation before that year ended.
The Department of Health confirmed this week that work on developing the legislation was stopped when staff were redeployed to helping Ireland’s Covid-19 response and there are currently no plans to revisit the matter.
“However, priorities in relation to public health legislation are kept under continuous review,” a spokesperson noted.
The proposal is supported by medics and nutrition experts however many in the food industry say it’s impractical and would be highly costly to implement.
‘It boils my blood’
Chef Wade Murphy, who runs Restaurant 1826 in Adare Co Limerick, said there’s “absolutely no chance there will be calorie counts on my menu.”
Murphy, who has worked in kitchens around the world, said calorie labelling is achievable in mass catering but simply not possible in restaurants such as 1826.
“I can see how it can work for a multinational company or a place that has a central kitchen, doing several thousand covers out of that kitchen everyday – recipes don’t change. For somebody like us, if my sous chef adds another knob of butter to a piece of turbot, the whole calorie count is out the window,” Murphy said.
“It’s not policable, it’s not doable. Environmental Health and the EHOs [Environmental Health Officers] are already under a serious amount of pressure. So who’s going to police it?”
Murphy is also philosophically opposed to calorie counting, saying “it boils my blood to think that we are going that way with food”.
“We are primary producers of some of the best stuff in the world – our beef, our dairy, our cream, our butter,” he explained.
“They are better off running child obesity campaigns and getting people in schools – teaching about where food comes from – rather than hitting us restaurants by having to put calorie counts on the menu.”
The comments are echoed by the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) which argues for “education not regulation”.
The association says enforcing calorie posting on menus would cost the state tens of millions of euros to implement and would also result in chefs having to spend more time doing paperwork than in the kitchen.
The RAI also notes that calories on their own are not a good measure of a healthy menu.
What the doctors say
While restaurateurs are opposed to calorie labelling, medics and regulated nutrition experts have weighed in behind the measure.
The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) says it can help people to make more informed choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
The institute said it can also encourage food businesses to produce healthier meals, as restaurants reduce portion sizes to cut the calorie value.
“It is not a quick fix but it will make people aware of the choices they make,” an INDI spokesperson said.
“Some research suggests that 30% of people will take notice of the calorie postings and make a reduction of approximately 100 calories in terms of their choices. It has been on the agenda for many years now and we hope it will be rolled out to help the consumer make informed choices,” the spokesperson added.
The HSE is also in favour of unthawing the frozen proposal. Its National Clinical Lead for Obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea, called for calorie posting to be put “back on the table” yesterday.
“We need to say we have an obesity epidemic that is crippling our health service and that is one simple thing that works,” Professor O’Shea said on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne programme.
A HSE spokesperson told The Journal that menu labelling, including calorie posting, is recommended as part of a comprehensive approach to stem the rise in diet-related chronic diseases.
“There is sufficient scientific evidence to show that changing eating environments in the form of providing calorie posting on menus can be a powerful tool to improve the food choices of a large number of individuals at the same time,” the HSE said.
Eating disorders
In the UK, some mental health campaigners have spoken out against the recently introduced calorie count legislation citing fears it will further perpetuate eating disorders.
An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders according to the charity BEAT, with calorie counting being a prominent symptom of these illnesses.
“Research has found that when making food choices from a menu that includes a calorie count, those with anorexia and bulimia are more likely to order food with significantly fewer calories, whereas people with binge eating disorder are more likely to order food with significantly more calories, exacerbating eating disorder behaviours,” BEAT said.
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As a country that has benefitted so much from being a global citizen, I’d like to think we would be more generous to the billions more unfortunate than us in a time like this. If you think we have it bad here, can you only begin go imagine the devastation that’s about to unfold in some third world countries.
@Kevin Kilcoyne: well said!!!
@Kevin Kilcoyne: this is not altruistic, the whole world must be supported to fight the virus or else is wont go away. It’s going to be an interesting world after this ends. FFG are spending our cash because this can impact them personally, a virus is indiscriminate. This is not love this is business. They want to save themselves and they have to by saving the public. That’s why they do nothing for homeless people because it doesn’t and won’t ever impact them personally. Same as poor health systems, education and the list goes on and on…it doesn’t effect them so they do nothing.
@Carmel Myob: carmel, this is a world pandemic, it’s not about Fianna fail or Fianna gael.
@Carmel Myob: serious load of cow dung. They are doing their job. Now fill up that glass again, you need another one.
@Carmel Myob: I cant believe you actually believe that load of crap you just wrote? No one could be that stupid. And the worst is it gets likes ffs.
@Carmel Myob: Wow…. just… Wow…
@Carmel Myob: I presume the myob stands for mind your own business…..
@John fitzpatrick: her comment reflects the majority whatever you may think :)
@Carmel Myob: Step away from the keyboard Carmel. You have just gone to a new Internet record level of moronic.
@Ross: no, it’s 258 likes (the replies) v 101 on her comment. The majority think she’s batsheet mental.
@Kevin Kilcoyne: Maybe if some of these countries invested in their people rather than military and weapons they might stand in their own feet.
India invests billions on space while its citizens live in dire poverty one example.
@Carmel Myob: what % of that 10mil will actually get to where it’s needed, I’ve been helping african charities since I started school with the penny for the non white babies ( not allowed use colours) as it was called then and is now a conglomerate of co’s with major advertising on tv there has been billions poured into these countries and still there is no improvement which goes to show how little actually reaches those who need it, the unions all one employer thousands and must cost billions to run let alone whatever is left for those who need it….
@Kevin Kilcoyne: and the
Rich in those countries have vast sums in Foreign banks and this has been going on forover 50 years.Charity begins at home,I’m an octogenarian.I remember my late Aunt ,giving half crowns for ” black baby” and she naming them after us.!!!!!!!
The shinner bots are up past their bed time I see, give it a rest lads as these countries will be worse than our First World Problems.They need our help more than ever.
@Ossi Fritsche: Shinnerbots?? I think you’ll find Sinn Féin members are more supportive of this measure than others.
@Ossi Fritsche: what a brain dead munchkin we have here
@Ossi Fritsche: One thing this Crisis has proved was that Sinn Fein were right …….when Pearse Doherty said they would build x amount of houses and it would cost x amount…….he was told the money wasn’t there and that he was chatting fairytale economics. Well this proves he was right and that the money was there or at least the money could be got.
@Ray Ridge: getting the money wasn’t the problem, paying it back will be the problem. There’s now zero chance that USC will be removed, I expect to see it increasing.
@Ossi Fritsche:
Oh STFU idiot.
Cop on .
This is a worldwide pandemic, there are more people affected by this virus than you and your fellow ffg saddo’s
Get a life and either get your shoulder behind the wheel or crawl back under your rock.
@Ossi Fritsche: What an idiotic comment, but what’s more embarrassing than the comment is the amount of likes it’s received.
@Ossi Fritsche:
Shinnerbot? It’s a very left wing, socialist party. Helping the less fortunate is kinda the selling point of the party at this point, moreso than united Ireland really.
@Seán Mc: Shinner Bots have any excuse to attack what good this government does as they are never happy until attack either FG or FF that’s the issue especially at these tough times
Sure for years FF have played the socialist card, and they’re not. Bertie reckoned he was a socialist, lol. It’s just empty rhetoric. Likewise now are SF.
@Ossi Fritsche:
@Ossi Fritsche:
Seriously, you are just showing what an absolute idiot you are.
Have you any grey matter keeping your ears apart at all ??.
This is not the time or place.
Plenty of time to vent your A/H after this time of emergency.
Do something productive like gardening or decorating.
@O’Cinnéide Pól: and you only got 13 likes that’s embarrassing
Call me cynical.. But most underdeveloped countries don’t utilise aid properly..
@Ross: Agree totally Ross , and when this crisis passes a major review of the waste of the €750 million given in Foreign Aid by successive Irish Governments should be demanded by the taxpayers of this State . !
@Gerry Mc Carthy: Oh goodie a review – and how much will we waste on that?
@Gerry Mc Carthy: money well spent when it’s helping people in a desperate situation. Look at this countries history for god’s sake.
@Ross: correct, the people who need it might never see it
@Gavin Conran: who is going to look after all the junkies when the off licence close
As bad as we are in the western world, my heart bleeds for developing countries and countries need to do everything possible to help these countries
@jackamy: Thats all very fine but why can anyone tell me why we seem to be giving to these countries for the last 50 + years and still no improvements, something is wrong somewhere!!
So we should forget about these countries in the worst pandemic in over a century because of money?
@et: exactly?!
@et: GO VISIT AFRICA,. ITS VERY BIG OVER 1 BILLION FOLK,
@et: exactly,the amount of money given to the country’s that are in dire need is astronomical. But it seems they only receive a very small portion of it. It’s only after the people in charge get what they want the unfortunate get the scraps
@Michael Heery: I have visited Africa and it’s a real eye opener. I was in South Africa and it’s the most racist country Iv ever experienced. White South Africans are a disgrace
@et: Indeed it is.The only way to help them is to deal with their biggest problem.POPULATION GROWTH.
@Charlie: nice bit of racism there Charlie
@et: no improvements? You’re not up to date.
Are they serious jesus we as in tax payers will be paying this back for years never mind our own but now other countries..
Thanks leo
@Paul Healy: 10 million is pennies. We’re contributing to a global effort to halt the spread of a global disease, what happens all over the world impacts us here too. But short-sighted parochial thinking is in vogue these days by the looks of the comments…
@ihcalaM: agreed, latest count is it’s going to cost us over 10billion. And people are complaining about 10 million. That’s not half the contents of one plane from China. Ad bad as we are, we are not the worst and can you imagine when this hits a refugee camp?
@Paul Healy: 10 Million – years?
Want to run that math by us?
@Paul Healy: oh pish off
@Paul Healy: If we don’t help curb this virus in other less development countries it will make its way back around the world and the next group of people will be infected and dying . And it may all happen before effective vaccines and treatments are in widespread use . Things happen quickly .
Good, I’m glad to see our tax go to worthy causes. There is enough wealth in this country to ensure every single citizen can live comfortably and also be able to give generously to less advantaged countries. Unfortunately the wealthy don’t like to share.
@Steph: except when everything is fine and dandy… Ff/fg don’t do anything for the disadvagted, squeezed middle in our own country, but when a pandemic happens.. Money galore, and positive stories everywhere with regards to the government. WAKE UP
@Steph: I think you need to look at the contribution of different incomes to the tax intake.
@Steph: Everything you think, believe and say is wrong.
@Steph: there is no wealth in this country that is not created, and it has to be created continuously for wealth to remain in this country. We can be poor again, not that long ago we were very poor. It’s going to take a lot of work when these clouds pass to create wealth again, let’s hope we can do it.
@Ross: and where do you think this money coming from? The money tree my Ma used to talk about when I was young? No, borrowing , that’s where all this money is coming from now and you and I will be paying back this money for years to come.
But we could keep borrowing so that this stays all the same and everyone gets these higher payments, rent freezes, etc ,
It’s funny how people now are saying that suddenly we are able to cover all this money, why not years ago. Spending = tax intake, spending above that like we are doing now equals loans. And we all know that if you borrow, you pay back.
Good luck to the next government as it’s going to be fun paying off this mortgage, hope it’s a tracker.
@Steph: you’re delusional. I have no more words. I’m so angry right now
@Ross: and what are the disadvantaged trying to do about getting out of their situation besides March with the Shinnors, maybe look for a job or retrain, don’t always look for handouts
@Louise B: So are you writing here for therapy? If you’ve nothing to contribute why bother? And being angry is no argument at all at all.
Has to be an April fools joke right ?
@Ronan Dunne: why would it be? We have a role to play on the international scene.
@thenewguy: Could be wrong there. Ireland is not a big deal in the international world but your country is generous. Especially when the government Are spending your money.
More jets flying to China for aid?
Put a tax on everything from China to pay for this.
@Peter Hopkins: so tax the gov to charge more to the gov, don’t understand this strategy
@talksense: I don’t think Peter understands anything
Remember Ireland was ranked No.3 of the Good Countries. Rightly so well deserved and well done.
@Seriousnojoke: We were actually ranked number 1 before we dropped to 3rd.
I lost my job, my apartment, my car and almost my life tru illness. Now im on disability benefit I’ve been waiting 5yrs on an operation that was going 2 b scheduled 4 the summer after a lot of waiting to see 4 different consultants. Now the operation is cancelled and I totally understand why. This virus is going to kill many & I’m in no immediate danger. But I have a slight grievance with the fact that, ok, most of the country has shut down the government has decided that instead of giving people the €203 they are getting €350. Is it a ridiculous question to ask as to why do people that are not able to work and lost everything because of illness (not their own fault) get €203 while others are getting €350? Surely we all have the same problems with debt. Can someone please tell me me why?
@still champ champ: in a similar situation to yourself, and am livid. I hate this country right now more than ever.
@Louise B: I dont hate the country louise! You say you’re in a similar situation and I feel your anger. I’ve been on lockdown for the last 5yrs. I get €203 per week and I see others complaining about the fact they are getting €350 and having to stay indoors for the last couple of days. I’m thinking, welcome to my world. Try it for 5 years! And there is so many people out there foong it longer than me. But I worked 6 days a week until I got ill. An extra €147 per week would make a massive difference to me obviously. And I’m not having a pop at you Louise, I just think fair is fair and €350 would be fair all around. X
@still champ champ: You didn’t lose your sense of entlement.
@still champ champ: You have made the case for a more generous disability support , pandemic aside.
I could not live on, even exist on 203 aweek.
If we could just bounce those milking the system who are not disabled there would be more for genuine cases.
I wish you well.
@still champ champ: Because people who work have paid for this entitlement. You haven’t.
Lieo spends as he pleases as power hungry 2ic Mehole keeps stum….
Irish trough is ever giving under FFG….
@Willy Mc Entire: making it harder and harder for opposition benches next election when it comes to policies and money .. And before anyone starts, politics is an dirty game. Ff/fg know what they’re doing
@Willy Mc Entire: back to spelling school
Let’s not forget to fight against the government to give doctors and nurses a pay rise after this is over dont be giving our money away leo give it to the people that fight for ireland ya donkey..
@Paul Healy: Have you no charitable spirit at all.
@Paul Healy: Can we take the money for the pay rise from the scroungers the Shinners duped into voting for them?
@Peter Clancy: so anyone on under 100 grand is a scrounger? You should deal with facts and put your SF grudge aside.
And they gave nothing to the charity Air Ambulance service, which is to be grounded costing Irish lives
@William Bryan: governments do nothing for services like that.. Same with the RNLI who do fantastic work… We’ll just keep relying on donations and wills. Much respect to Irish fishermen and people who work on ships.
I have no problem with this helping out vulnerable countries a very good cause, but where did the money come from? all of a sudden we have 10 million to give away, why wasn’t it used to help our own homeless population before all this started?
@Swamp_Donkey: This money would be set aside every year for foreign aid. It would then be passed out at varying times of the year to whatever charities are deemed to need it most
Here we go.
@Louis Jacob: Where we going?
@SL you’re funny
@Louis Jacob: are we there yet…
IMO, the E10 mil would be better spent building accommodation for those sleeping rough. When this CV-19 pans out, Ireland will be another basket case economically with over 100% debt/GDP.
PS: CV-19 is a Godsend for a Government that has gone well beyond its useby date and a snap election once this blows by will guarantee us more of the same…..ho-hum ……
pardon me while a yawn…..!!!
Well done all, billions suddenly appears in a crisis but wasn’t there for hospital beds and homelessness before. Money isn’t real, it’s a tool we use that can magically appear when the s hits the fan. I’m not taking part in the charade anymore. I don’t know 1 person that got the virus apart from the “famous” people. This is a mental virus to control the populas.
@Paddy O Sullivan: Eejit.
@Paddy O Sullivan: I know people that got the virus. I know people that have died from the virus. You’re not the centre of the universe Paddy
Lads… for once can we put all politicising away…. people…mams, dads, nana and paps are leaving us.. at a rate which at best is frightening and at worst bewildering… show some respect and give it up… we can all row another day.. eh ?
And we think we are in trouble
At least it’s something
Does anyone know when the pubs will be opened again
Article picture looks like a bearded Charlie Bird
Well done, proud to be irish
FFG could be about to lose a large amount of their support base if there is any truth that older people were more inclined to vote FFG.
have your say