UKHospitality launches guidance on Calorie Labelling

New guidance has been produced on the recent Calorie Labelling legislation, due to be implemented this April.

Put together by trade body UKHospitality, the guidance is intended to help affected businesses and to ensure consistent enforcement post-April. It is therefore available to anyone in the sector, not just UKHospitality members.

The information has been compiled in conjunction with the UKHospitality Nutrition Group and covers a summary of the legislation as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

Given the complexity of handling the new measures, particularly at such a challenging time for operators, the advice will be updated on a rolling basis as additional queries and details emerge.

The document already covers such questions such which foods and business are exempt from the requirements; examples of food and meals that will need to display calorie information; how the legislation affects franchised businesses and tied pubs; and what calorie information must be shown, and how it must be displayed.

“These new rules come into force at a very challenging time for our industry," says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality. "Not only are businesses battling a workforce crisis and operating cost pressures – at the same time as managing crippling debt levels and depleted cash reserves – this April will see the triple whammy of a rise in VAT, business rates, and labour costs.

“While working to ensure the sector is prepared and able to comply with the new guidance, we at UKHospitality are working hard to press the case for a delay in implementation and a light touch on enforcement of the rules post-April.”

The guidance can be seen here.

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