The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has taken its first steps towards introducing a consistent format for providing nutrition information on menus in pubs and other eateries.
The FSA is talking to a range of companies who will act as "early adopters" to introduce calorie labelling on its menus in the summer.
The move follows a survey, which revealed that more than 80% of respondents would find nutrition information useful at the point of order. It is not yet known who the "early adopters" are.
The FSA's initial plans for nutrition information were launched at a breakfast meeting in London yesterday with over 50 of the UK's largest catering businesses, including pub groups, which already display nutrition information on their websites such as Mitchells & Butlers and JD Wetherspoon.
Focus group research has shown that consumers are already using nutrition information where it is available in pubs and other catering outlets; that they were keen that it is kept simple; and that the provision of calorie information at the point of decision is appealing.
The FSA hopes a voluntary calorie labelling system on menus will assist consumers in choosing healthier dishes at the point of order and prompt chefs to adapt dishes to make them more nutritional.
FSA chief executive Tim Smith said the response from catering businesses had been positive: "We're used to seeing nutrition information when we're shopping and there is no compelling reason why we shouldn't have more consistent information about nutrition when we eat out.
"The Agency is keen to work closely with the industry to see, as a first step, how calorie information can be provided in a clear, effective and simple manner across a range of catering settings."
He explained they will look later at whether they will extend this to include the fat and salt content of meals.