McDonald’s starts introducing calorie labelling to all menus in all restaurants

Fast-food chain McDonald’s will start introducing calorie information to menus throughout all of its 1,200 UK restaurants, the UK Department of Health has announced.

McDonald’s move is a result of its commitment to the calorie labelling pledge as part of the Responsibility Deal and it will begin to implement labelling on its menu boards around the country.

KFC, Pizza Hut, Pret A Manger and JD Wetherspoon are also signed up to the deal.

The Department of Health also revealed that Greggs, Starbucks and Burger King have signed up to the Out of Home calorie labelling pledge and will introduce it in their outlets from next year.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “One in six meals are now eaten outside the home and for those meals we often have no idea how many calories we are eating.

“That is why this is such a great achievement by the Responsibility Deal. It will help people spot those hidden calories in their favourite foods and keep an eye on their waistlines.”

Jill McDonald, chief executive and president of McDonald’s UK, said: “In March we announced our intention to extend the communication of nutritional information to our customers to include displaying calories on our menu boards across the UK. This move, as part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, supports the principles we believe are important: giving our customers clear information to help them make decisions that are right for them and provide a choice on our menu.”