Kilojoule count is served up

Q U E E N S L A N D E R S w i l l know exactly how many kilojoules they are consuming when they munch down on their favourite fast foods as mandatory nutritional menu labelling kicks off in Queensland tomorrow.

In a move to ease the state’s obesity crisis, the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 makes it compulsory for the energy content of food and drink to be displayed on instore menus, online ordering websites, apps and takeaway menus of fast- food and snack chains.

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan said takeaway chains with at least 20 outlets in Queensland or 50 nationally have to comply with the legislation. Businesses have 12 months to comply.

Popular chains such as McDonald’s and Guzman y Gomez already outline the nutritional value of their products.

Close to 2.5 million adults and children in Queensland are overweight or obese, costing the state’s economy more than $ 11 billion a year.

Fast- food and snack chains must display the average energy content of each standard food item for sale, along with the statement “the average adult daily energy intake is 8700kJ”.