COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 08, 2015

MOTION NO.4

MOTION: Councillor A-M. Dermody

That this Council lead the way and implement calorie posting on all food served in the Council’s canteen. There is an obseity problem in Ireland, with reports that Ireland will soon to be the fastest growing obese Country after the United States. The Government has approved Heads of Bill for calorie counting on menus and I would ask that this Council provide leadership in volunteering to provide this information before being so obliged.    It is accepted that there is a cost involved in providing calorie count on food, to this end the Food Safety Authoirity has developed an online calorie counting model known as MenuCal. I’m asking members to support my motion and in so doing that this Council lead the way in providing this information on a voluntry basis and in so doing, sending out a clear positive message within the County and to other local authorities.

REPORT:

All Food outlets will be required to display calorie counts on their menus under new laws due to be introduced early next year. In a bid to tackle the country’s growing obesity problem, the Cabinet has signed off on plans to make bars, restaurants and takeaways list the calorie content of their food. All menus, including boards, leaflets and digital menus, will have to display calorie counts alongside cost. The Canteen has already introduced significant improvements regarding new measures to introduce more healthy options for everyone. At the moment there are GDA (guidance daily allowance) cards on display in which a Calorie count of each meal is supplied. These cards also gives a breakdown of the Fats and Sugars, in compliance with the Food Safety Authority. The canteen holds regular meetings with the Food Health Authority in relation to providing healthy food options to all users.

Steps are taken to ensure that food is cooked in a healthy manner e.g. breakfast is baked rather than fried, brown bread is always available and low fat yoghurts are served.

Healthy Eating Week in partnership with the Community Department is another example of the Canteens’ drive towards healthier eating habits.

There is also a “Know Your Food” carousel where food information leaflets are available which change on a monthly basis.