The Government in another bid to fight the ever increasing problem of obesity has proposed a new initiative. The authorities are planning to call on pubs and ask them to include the number of calories in a food item along with its price.

The scheme that is being introduced would not be mandatory and would be completely on the discretion of owners of the food outlets. Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary while informing about the new initiative stated that the scheme would be introduced shortly and would also be looking to include takeaways and restaurants.

Mr. Lansley is expecting the calorie count to be available on menus and at the point of sale as well. He further added that the health department is just trying to help people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and advise them on what is good for their health and what is not.

He also felt that as a nation the general population was very unhealthy and did not incorporate good lifestyle habits. With the availability of the calorie count on the menus, people would be able to ascertain as to the amount of calories they are consuming and would be at least able to balance out what they eat later on.

Mr. Lansley hoped that though the move was not mandatory, yet food outlets would adopt the habit as a standard practice.