We should all be eating healthier food and exercising more. It could help beat coronavirus, it’s a positive step in the fight against mental health problems and it increases longevity. It’s unarguable and actually, we’re not doing a bad job. As a nation, us Brits are increasingly aware of what we eat and the ‘gym culture’ is growing fast. But there’s still a long way to go and we can’t do it alone. We need help from the supermarkets and restaurants that feed us to increase awareness of what we’re eating and to offer us a wider range of options at different price points. The government’s new ‘obesity strategy‘ is aimed at reducing the health risks associated with the over-consumption of high-sugar, high-salt and high-fat fast foods. ‘Let’s do this’, urge the ads on oversized billboards across the country. OK then, let’s do it.
At Quattro Foods, ever committed to supporting physical and mental wellbeing, alongside a healthy passion for high quality food, we are aware that the food production and retail industry is wary of the prohibitive costs of including calories on menus as well as its potential deterrent effect. And just as the food and hospitality industry is beginning to get back on its feet, we fully understand that any risk of a drop in sales is cause for concern.
Always striving to support our customers, we are doing all we can to help in a number of ways, including reducing calories in some of our much-loved items, without the end consumer even noticing. If we maintain the quality of flavour in our foods, there’s no reason for the British food lover to stop buying it.
Here are some of the ways in which our government is trying to help us become healthier.
- Bye bye BOGOF. If you want to buy 2 packs of Twix, Mars or any of your other favourite sweet treats, you’ll have to pay for them. The loss of this supermarket incentive is sure to curb our over-indulgences. Great for the waistline, not such a happy time for that empty saucer next to the 4 o’clock cuppa. Sigh….
- TV and online ads for unhealthy foods will be banned before 9pm when new laws come into practice. And the government is currently consulting on a blanket ban. Watch this space…
- Restaurants or cafes that employ over 250 staff will be compelled to publish calorie information on menus, helping diners make informed choices about their meals.
- Did you know that amongst those who drink, 10% of a day’s calories can be consumed in alcoholic beverages? Drinks manufacturers will soon have to label their tipples very clearly with calorie content. Cheers!
- Food labelling on all foods. It’s widespread but not mandatory to the same level as in many other countries. It will be soon.
And so, as we become increasingly aware of our health, food manufacturers have many substantial and imminent changes to consider. Quattro is here to help. Contact us to find out how you can stay compliant and keep your food-loving customers happy at the same time.