A way to count the calories

Food labelling company, Planglow, have announced that they are offering food and drink businesses of all sizes a quick and easy way to calculate and add calorie information to labels and displays using its award-winning food labelling app LabelLogic Live.

In a bid to tackle growing obesity rates, on the 6 April 2022, it will become law in England and Northern Ireland for large food businesses operating in the out of home sector to include calorie information on food labels, ticketing, menus and other ‘points of choice’ for consumers including websites and apps.

To aid food and drink operators in producing compliant information, the company has added a calorie labelling tool to its LabelLogic Live which allows users to automatically calculate the calorie content of food and drink products and simply add to their labelling and ticketing.

Planglow’s technical director Richard Newman commented: “The new calorie labelling regulations are of course preceded by the winter covid restrictions and the introduction of Natasha’s Law last October which, understandably, have left many food and drink providers on the back foot. We have therefore developed a way to produce fully regulation-compliant labels and ticketing in a few simple clicks without costing businesses yet further setbacks.”

The calorie calculator is accessed via the company’s online labelling app, LabelLogic Live and works on any webconnected laptop, computer, mobile phone or tablet, users creating their food labels online and then printing using a standard desktop printer.

The Calorie Labelling Regulations apply to foods sold for immediate consumption including prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) items like grab and go sandwiches and salads. They affect out of home food businesses with 250+ employees and those that do not comply face fines of up to £2,500.

While some businesses may already state calorie content on menus or labelling, the regulations require clear calorific declarations at every ‘point of choice’ for consumers. So, for example, in a single outlet this could extend to a menu board, on-table menus, product labels, display cabinets and an ordering app.

Smaller businesses are currently exempt, as are food and drink providers within Scotland and Wales although further legislation is anticipated in the next two years. Exceptions are made for some operators - such as schools - and certain food and drink offerings (for example off-menu choices as requested by the customer).

“While large businesses only are currently required to give calorific declarations, we feel SMEs will increasingly be encouraged to do so too over the coming 18-24 months. With this in mind LabelLogic Live offers a low cost and simple route for producing calorie labelling for businesses of all sizes,” Richard Newman added.

New sandwich fillings launched

Fresh Fayre, part of the Sysco Speciality Group, has launched Fresh Deli, a new brand dedicated to the development and supply of top quality, chilled sandwich fillings that will help keep caterers right on trend, feel the company.

Fresh Deli say that they will be focusing on continuous new product development, keeping the range right up to date and relevant, while at the same time maintaining a core of traditional favourites.

The brand is kicking off with a range that includes classic flavours, a selection of heatable sauce-based fillings, vegetarian options, fish, meat, and marinated meat fillings. In all, there are 49 new lines to choose from with more varieties planned to roll out at regular intervals, keeping the range interesting and in line with current fast-moving trends.

Traditional Fresh Deli Chicken Mayonnaise, Chicken Tikka and Sliced Coronation Chicken, for example, are complemented by heatable fillings such as Fresh Deli Sliced Firecracker Chilli, Hoi Sin Duck and Pulled Chilli Beef. The vegetarian fillings include Fresh Deli Italian Grilled Vegetables, Falafel Chick Pea in Roast Pepper Salsa, and BBQ Jackfruit. Mouthwatering marinated choices include Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Lemon Pepper Chicken and Lime & Coriander Chicken.

“Fresh Deli gives us the opportunity to support the ongoing development and new product focus that our customers at Fresh Fayre know and love, as well as providing a great range of core products of consistently high quality,” said Fresh Fayre’s trade marketing manager, Caroline Bartrop.

“At the same time, the brand gives us the chance to work closely with customers on bespoke projects, taking advantage of the Fresh Deli resources and expertise, so it’s a winner all round.”