The ALMR has welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s consultation on tackling obesity as an opportunity to promote the work being done by the eating and drinking out sector to promote healthier attitudes.
The ALMR has also stated that the Scottish Government must take a holistic approach to tackling obesity with an emphasis on shared responsibility.
ALMR Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “The ALMR shares the Scottish Government’s objectives to combat obesity, a goal that our sector is working towards across the UK. Our members have long innovated and engaged with policymakers and their customers to help encourage healthier eating.
“Pubs and restaurants have made good progress in reducing sugar and salt content in foods, by reformulation, by giving customers more information about their products and by providing menu options that cater to different dietary needs.
“We know from efforts thus far, though, that success will be reliant on two crucial factors. Firstly, a strategy must involve working with businesses to ensure informed dialogue and collaborative measures via voluntary measures based on hard outcome evidence. Secondly, there needs to be a simultaneous focus on providing public information to ensure that consumers are equipped to make the right dietary choices and to encourage healthier lifestyles generally.
“There is a shared responsibility across society to encourage healthy eating. At a time when cost and administrative burdens in the sector are unprecedentedly high, we will be urging the Scottish Government to take a balanced approach that can fulfil obesity goals while avoiding increased costs for both customers and businesses.
“As the voice of the UK’s eating and drinking operators, we look forward to contributing to the strategy, sharing our knowledge and experience, and helping to deliver obesity reductions.”