RGDATA has made a submission to the Department of Health on the proposed mandatory calorie posting on menus, calling for a grant to help independent businesses subsidise the cost.
RGDATA’s demand comes after it canvassed members operating delis and food-to-go services about the issues for them arising from the proposals.
Director General of RGDATA, Tara Buckley commented, “It is important to point out that independent convenience and grocery shops have faced extremely challenging times over the past number of years,” adding that the most recent CSO figures still show relatively flat sales for these businesses.
She explained that many retailers have already invested significantly into their fresh food-to-go offer to both differentiate themselves from competitors and offer local fresh food.
According to RGDATA, business owners say that are shocked and dismayed by the proposal for mandatory posting of calories on menus. They report being especially concerned about the implication of the proposal with regard to ‘loose food’, and the impact this may have on their business model, along with the cost implications, staff training issues and how they can operate a compliant business.
“We are asking Government to provide financial assistance to independent shops to cover the onerous costs of delivering mandatory calorie posting on menus and other point of sale materials,” said Buckley. “The alternative is to make the regulations much simpler and less costly to implement.”
RGDATA adds that independent shops should not have such a regulatory burden placed on them without proper consultation and consideration of their concerns, particularly so soon after doing the work to comply to Allergy posting regulation.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
