Calorie labelling on menus to be introduced in cafeterias, restaurants next year

PUTRAJAYA - The Health Ministry will launch a pilot project for calorie information to be labeled on menus in cafeterias and restaurants starting next year.

Its caretaker minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said as a start, it will be implemented in cafeterias and restaurants in Putrajaya before expanding the project throughout the country.

He said the ministry’s food safety and quality division was in the midst of identifying cafeterias and restaurants that will take part in the project.

"The ministry is also looking into cooperation with fast food restaurant companies for the labeling of menus to be implemented at the outlets.

"The list of dishes available (at the restaurants) would not have much difference at other outlets, so this would make the implementation of the project easier,” he said when met after officiating the Putrajaya Anti-Obese City seminar and the launch of the weight loss programme module, here, today.

Datuk Hajreet Singh was also present.

Khairy said all preparations including food information would be prepared by the ministry to help ease cafeteria and restaurant operators.

"They do not need to spend money to get consultation for the labeling for their menus," he said.

Khairy said the pilot project which was scheduled to run between six months and a year would be evaluated before the Menu Labeling Policy would be mandatory or otherwise.

"The ministry will look at the data and the success of this policy before making a decision on the Menu Labeling Policy," he said.