Controversial plans to add nutritional information to menus could be back in the spotlight after fast food chain McDonald's said it was considering labelling its burgers with fat and calorie counts.
Late last year, European plans to force publicans to include nutritional information on their menus were slammed by the trade. Chefs and licensees said they would be "unworkable".
The planned legislation was postponed, but the rise of obesity across Europe and fears about hidden fat and salt in food have increased.
Now McDonald's has responded to criticism of the fast food industry by claiming it is considering stamping nutritional information on to the packaging of all its food and drink.
"It is crucial parents see how much sugar, salt and fat is in a McDonald's product," said Kath Dalmeny from the Food Commission, a healthy eating campaign group.
"I am sure the company is doing this in response to concern about rising obesity across the world and particularly in Europe."
The move by McDonald's comes at a time when Europe is considering a ban on health slogans.
Draft legislation aims to ban vague claims to "promote well being" or "good health".
If the law is passed licensees must take care not to copy health claims from food packaging on to menus.
Terms such as "low fat", "high fibre" or "low-sodium" would be subject to strict definitions under new European Union rules.
Although the draft law seems to refer only to packaging, licensees tempted into using health claims to boost sales could be caught out.
A spokesperson for the British Hospitality Association said: "It would mainly affect food manufacturers and those in the retail sector but this should act as a warning to licensees."
The European Commission says consumers are bewildered and often misled by the growing number of foods claiming health benefits.
It is particularly concerned about foods targeted at slimmers and children. In future, most health claims would need approval by the European Food Safety Authority.
Endorsements by food products by medical associations would not be allowed.
The draft law would ban slogans that couldn't be verified, such as "boosts your immune system" and "halves your calorie intake". It would also outlaw phrases such as "80 per cent fat free" where a product actually contains 20 per cent fat.
The situation with McDonald's, coupled with this latest European move will confuse publicans on what they should be stating on their menus.
But the Food Standards Agency (FSA) welcomed the proposals. A spokesperson said: "We have been pressing for these proposals because it will ensure that consumers can trust the nutritional and health claims which are increasingly being made of foods.
"We particularly welcome the proposal to ban claims like "80 per cent fat free", which are confusing."
However the FSA said it would not be calling for nutritional information to be added to menus. A spokesman said although customers were entitled to information this should be "practicable and meaningful".
Related articles:
Labelling proposals 'unworkable' (13 November 2002)
FSA calls for calorie listing (6 November 2002)