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Calorie Labelling for the Hospitality and Food Service Sector

Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector)(England) Regulations 2021

In the UK, businesses in the out-of-home food sector with 250 or more employees must display calorie information on menus. Whether you’re a restaurant, café, or takeaway, it’s essential to know if your business is required to comply.

Here you will find resources to help you understand the requirements and ensure your calorie labelling is compliant with the regulation.

See the official Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector)(England) Regulations 2021

Step 1: Check if Your Business Needs to Show Calories

What businesses are required to display calorie information?

Businesses in the out-of-home food sector that meet ALL the following criteria:

Operate in England
Employ 250 or more employees
Offer non-prepacked food or drink prepared for immediate consumption

If you meet all these conditions, you’re likely required to comply.

Does your business need to show calories on menus?

Find out in 2 minutes if your business falls under the Calorie Labelling regulation

Is your business operating in England?

Does your business employ 250 or more employees in total (across all locations)?

Does your business offer non-prepacked food or drink prepared for immediate consumption (on-site or off-site)?

Does your business fall under one of the exemptions listed below?

Is your food offered for sale in one of the following types of settings?

Does your food offering include any customised or made-to-order items (e.g., build-your-own sandwich or salad)?

If your food is sold through a website or mobile application, is the calorie information clearly displayed with the food description?

Does your business only offer non-prepacked food for fewer than 30 days per year or offer non-prepacked food as a special limited item?

Does your food only include the following exempt foods?

What foods do businesses need to show calories on?

Foods that must show calorie labelling include unpackaged items like meals served at restaurants, prepackaged foods for direct sale (e.g., sushi made fresh and packaged on-site), food packaged at a consumer's request (e.g., made-to-order sandwiches), and sides and toppings added to meals.

Some foods do not require calorie labelling, such as condiments added by the consumer (e.g., ketchup or mustard), non-standard menu items offered for less than 30 days, alcoholic beverages (with less than 1.2% alcohol by volume), healthcare food for patients or care home residents, educational food for children under 18, bespoke or custom orders (including altered foods), food for charity, and whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats.

**Foods that do, and do not, require calorie labelling under The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home) (England) Regulations 2021**

Step 2: Calculate Calories for Menu Labelling

If your business is required to comply with UK calorie labelling regulations, you must accurately calculate the calorie content of your food and drink items. Factors like cooking methods, weight changes, fat absorption, and portion sizes must be considered to ensure the final calorie count is within the 20% tolerance allowed under UK regulations. The law requires businesses to use scientifically accepted methods for calorie calculation.

Nutritional Analysis
You can calculate calories using food composition databases or by sending food samples to a laboratory for testing.

Nutritional Analysis Software
Software tools can be used to calculate the calorie content of your menu items, look for software with a gold standard in recipe calculation.

3. Outsourcing to a Professional
You may also choose to hire a nutritionist or consultant to calculate the calorie content of your food items.

As a general rule, according to the Atwater system there are 4 calories per gram of protein and carbohydrate, 7 calories per gram of alcohol, and 9 calories per gram of fat.

Step 3: Display Calorie Information on your Menus

For each food or drink item, the following must be visible and accessible on both physical and online menus.

Calorie content (in kcal) for each menu item
Portion size
The statement"Adults need around 2000 kcal a day"

Download our technical guide below for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of foods require calorie labelling?

Foods that are prepared and sold for immediate consumption, such as restaurant meals, prepacked foods made and packaged on-site, and foods packaged at the customer’s request, must include calorie information. This includes sides, toppings, and any other food item that can be chosen by the customer.

What information must be displayed alongside calorie content?

The calorie information should include the energy content in kilocalories (kcal), a reference portion size, and a statement indicating that "adults need around 2000 kcal a day."

Where must calorie information be displayed?

Calorie information must be visible at the point where the customer makes their food selection. This includes printed menus, digital signage, shelf edge labels, and food display counters.

Does a QR code suffice for displaying calorie information?

No. The calorie information must be clearly visible and legible at the point where the customer chooses their food. A QR code is not considered sufficient on its own unless it is clearly accessible to the customer during the decision-making process.

My business has less than 250 employees but it is part of a franchise, do I need to display calorie information?

Yes, if your business is part of a franchise or symbol group with similar food offerings, you must comply with calorie labelling regulations. The parent company is responsible for ensuring compliance.

Who is responsible for calorie labelling in tenant-managed pub groups?

The head office or chain management is responsible. If they benefit financially, they must ensure compliance with the regulations.

Do businesses need to provide a menu without calorie information?

Businesses are not required to provide an alternative menu without calorie information, but they must offer the menu with calorie information as the default. A menu without calorie details can only be provided at the customer's express request.

How should calorie content be calculated for menu items?

Calorie content should be calculated using either the manufacturer’s analysis, average ingredient values, or generally accepted data sources. The calculation method should be reliable, with information based on either direct testing or trusted food composition data.

How should calorie labelling be handled for menu items with variable ingredients or portion sizes?

For food items with multiple options (e.g., add-ons or customisable ingredients), calorie information should reflect the standard or default portion size. Additional options, such as extra toppings or larger portion sizes, should have separate calorie information listed accordingly.

Is calorie labelling required for food sold through third-party apps or delivery platforms?

Yes, businesses are required to provide accurate calorie information for food sold through third-party apps and online platforms. The responsibility for providing this information lies with the food business operator.

How should businesses manage calorie labelling for complex menu items or meal combinations?

For complex meals or items with multiple component options, calorie information must be provided for each individual component, with a clear indication of the total calorie content for the entire meal or serving size. This ensures transparency for consumers making informed choices.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with calorie labelling regulations?

Failure to comply with calorie labelling regulations may result in fines or other enforcement actions, including inspections by compliance officers. Inspections will focus on the accuracy and visibility of calorie information, as well as the reliability of the methods used to calculate the calorie content.

Does calorie labelling apply to prepacked food for direct sale (PPDS)?

Yes, PPDS food items - such as sandwiches or salads made and packaged on-site-must display calorie information on the packaging or on a shelf edge label if the product is displayed in a retail environment.

What is the acceptable methodology for calculating calorie content?

Calorie information must be calculated using scientifically accepted methods, such as the Atwater factors (4 kcal per gram for protein and carbohydrates, 9 kcal per gram for fat). Digital tools like menu management systems can be used to accurately calculate and display calorie information on menus and labels.