The UK government's new scheme aims to tackle obesity by making it mandatory for large businesses to display the calorie information on their menus.
As of today, Wednesday 6 April 2022, all businesses with over 250 employees who sell food both pre-packed for immediate consumption and not, must label all their products or menus with the correct calorie information.
Image: Pho
The new initiative is part of the government's wider strategy to tackle obesity in the UK.
By placing the calorie information on all menus and packaging, the government are hoping that the general public will make more informed decisions when eating out and ordering takeaways.
The COVID-19 pandemic is said to have highlighted the impact that obesity can have on people’s health. On the government website, officials explain that nearly two thirds of adults in England are classed as overweight or obese according to the BMI scale in 2015, and statistics have stayed worryingly similar since.
In a report about the cost of obesity, the government state that: "the overall cost of obesity to wider society is estimated at £27 billion. The UK-wide NHS costs attributable to overweight and obesity are projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050, with wider costs to society estimated to reach £49.9 billion per year".
It is thought that the calorie counting menus is an attempt to curb these statistics and lower levels of obesity and the financial impact it has on the health services.
Calorie information must be shown to the consumer on physical menus, online takeaway menus, food delivery menus and on the labels of pre-packaged foods.
The types of businesses targeted are restaurants, cafes, takeaways and specialist food shops such as delicatessens and bakeries.
The only companies exempt to the new regulations are those with under 250 employees, however the government are encouraging such smaller businesses to voluntarily adopt the practice of calorie labelling.
Whilst a menu without the calorie information can be provided to the customer upon request, the new menus with the nutritional information must be given to all customers by default.
The amount will be displayed next to a statement that ‘adults need around 2000 kcal a day’, to act as a reminder and to influence the consumer to make the healthier choice.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Clementine Hall -
6th April 2022 
