Pubs should provide more nutritional information, claim consumers

The research of 3,000 adults by Fourth Hospitality found that 67% of people would like to receive nutritional information - including calorific content – before ordering food in a pub.

The poll also revealed a growing ‘information gap’ when comparing the weekly household food-shop experience to dining out. Over half of respondents said they regularly checked labels on food sold at supermarkets for nutritional information.

While 62% said they had a good idea of calories in food bought for the home, they had no idea about calorie values when eating out.

Catherine Iredale, communications director at Fourth Hospitality, said: “Restaurant and pub operators have always rightfully taken the approach that any move to put calories on menus should be led not by legislators but by restaurant consumers – their customers.

The research revealed:
• 55% of respondents often check food labels when visiting supermarkets
• 46% described their knowledge of nutrition and health as ‘very good’ or ‘good’
• 80% said they would find calorie listings on restaurant menus useful
• 58% said that if calories, salt content and fats were listed on restaurant menus they would be more likely to switch to low fat/salt/calorie options
• 36% admitted that they are good at watching their weight at home, but find it all goes to pot when eating out
• 54% said that they would be more likely to choose a restaurant that showed calories and nutritional content of its foods over one which didn’t
• Over 20% thought that pizza was ‘fairly healthy’ – regardless of toppings.
• 70% said spaghetti bolognaise and homemade burgers were healthy