Report highlights growing demand for nutritional info on menus

Sixty-four percent of British consumers now think it's important to know the nutritional content of their meals out-of-home, with 45% claiming the importance has grown since last year.
This comes from a survey conducted by CGA by NIQ in the latest Food Insights Report. It demonstrates the need for hospitality operators to supply useful and accurate nutritional information to guests, revealing how wholesalers can work alongside the industry to ensure menus meet consumer needs.
While nutritional data surrounding calories, sugar, fat and salt content is now common, the Food Insights Report indicates that there is a mounting interest in other elements such as vitamins and protein, with particularly high demand from parents, 67% of whom would like to see the protein, sugar, salt and vitamin content of dishes added to menus.
The report also shows how menus can better position vegan and vegetarian options. More than half (52%) of all consumers and almost two-thirds of younger adults (63%) say they want to reduce their meat consumption, and three in five claim they are more likely to order a meal with reduced animal products if they can choose items to substitute – for example, a meat-free burger patty with dairy cheese.
James Ashurst, client director of foodservice at CGA, comments: "Interest in wellbeing surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it shows no sign of slowing. Many consumers now expect food businesses to be able to provide the nutritional information they want in order to support their healthy lifestyles and venues that don't deliver risk falling behind competitors. Understanding exactly what these mindful customers want is crucial, and our report provides the tools that are needed to optimise menus and maximise spend."