Calorie labelling benefits do not outweigh risks, report finds

Public Health Scotland has produced a new report suggesting that the benefits of displaying calorie information on menus does not outweigh the risks.

As a result the body has warned Scottish hospitality businesses against using the practice.

The research was conducted with Scotland-based eating disorder charities and among individuals who have collectively experienced a range of eating disorders.

The report also cited the potential harm the policy could inflict on those in recovery as a result of the “triggering effects of calorie information”.

Mitigations, such as only providing calorie information on request or via QR code, were also suggested in the report.

Hospitality businesses with more than 250 employees in England have been declaring calories on menus since 6 April 2022 under government legislation.

Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “Understanding how calorie labelling impacts people with lived experiences of eating disorders is important in this debate and I commend Public Health Scotland for carrying out this research. Its findings suggest that calorie labelling can have negative consequences for people dealing with, or having dealt with, eating disorders.

“The research recognises that hospitality can help people with their recovery by allowing them to enjoy the experience and socialising with family and friends. That’s the power of hospitality and these benefits must be recognised when legislation like this is being discussed.

Thompson added: “The Scottish Government must now factor in these findings, alongside wider business concerns, and reconsider its proposals to introduce mandatory calorie labelling.

“We look forward to discussing these findings and the broader concerns of our members with the Scottish Government to make the case for scrapping this harmful and unnecessary move.”