Wishart speaks in parliament urging Government to scrap calorie counts

Speaking during a parliamentary debate marking Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart MSP has today called on the Scottish Government to scrap plans for calorie counts on the menus of Scottish eateries.  

Leading eating disorder charity Beat found that 95% of those affected by eating disorders thought having calorie counts on menus would negatively impact on them.

Ms. Wishart said:

"As the motion highlights, and as other members have highlighted, approximately one in a quarter million people in the UK today suffer from some form of eating disorder. It is clear eating disorders are on the rise and the impact on children and young people must be addressed.  

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats have concerns about the impact of the Scottish Government's plans to make calorie labelling on menus mandatory in food outlets.  

“There is a significant risk that calorie labelling would raise feelings of fear and guilt for those currently unwell and encourage behaviour such as restrictive eating while making recovery more difficult.  

"Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to scrap these plans."