Menu revolution in restaurants?
Cooking experts are up in arms against the England model
Created: 04/26/2022Updated: 04/26/2022, 16:12
By: Ines Baur
Study the menu in a completely different way.
Schnitzel with fries, that's 8.90 euros and 950 calories (symbol image).
© Ute Grabowsky/photothek.net/imago
Ingredients, allergens, price and then counting calories.
Berlin is examining whether calorie information on menus is an option.
That makes some people lose their appetite.
Berlin/London - Since April, restaurant chains in England with more than 250 employees have had to indicate on their menus, websites and delivery platforms how many calories each meal has.
This is part of the UK government's plans to tackle obesity in the population, according to the
BBC
.
Calories on menus in the fight against obesity - that could also become an issue in Germany.
"The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is currently examining whether a mandatory declaration of calories in out-of-home catering is possible and sensible," explains a spokeswoman for the ministry with regard to the British model,
reports
Zeit.de.
However, the legal feasibility must be examined as well as the practical aspects for consumers and companies.
An assessment can therefore not be made at the moment.
Restaurant association against calorie information on menus
While Berlin is still checking, opponents of the calorie lists on menus are showing their displeasure.
"The Dehoga (German Hotel and Restaurant Association) is clearly against the mandatory indication of calories on menus in local restaurants," says Dehoga general manager Ingrid Hartges to the German press agency.
The association points out health aspects as well as potential additional work in the industry.
"The indication of calories for each dish on the menu is not practical, there is no relevant demand," explained Hartges.
In addition, the statement of energy values is not a suitable means against obesity in society.
Simply counting calories is no substitute for a balanced, healthy diet and exercise.
In Germany, around two thirds (67 percent) of men and a good half (53 percent) of women are overweight.
Menu revolt: only paying attention to calories spoils the taste
Criticism of the menu revolt also comes from cooking experts.
About Masterchef winner Sven-Hanson Britt: "Children will grow up in restaurants, hotels and cafes that only pay attention to the small number under a dish," he tweeted.
The choice of a meal would then only be made because of a small number.
"The love of taste, of ingredients, of history, of the craft of cooking or of nutrition will be lost."
Star chef Sarah Wiener is more than just skeptical about counting calories in restaurants, writes
derstandard.de
.
In the fight against unhealthy eating, focusing primarily on calories is not correct.
There are certainly healthy calorie bombs, such as nuts with vitamins and trace elements: "It's the quantity that counts.
Anyone who has ever nibbled a handful of nuts knows that they fill you up fairly quickly and for a long time.
So balance is another keyword,” says the 59-year-old.