Fast food Ireland
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IRISH people still love eating fast food despite the obesity crisis, a report has revealed.
The nation forked out €264 per head of population on takeaways such as hamburgers and pizza – up 19% since 2012.
The Euromonitor 2018 report said: “Fast food, overall, continued to see healthy growth rates in 2017, in spite of pressure caused by health concerns.”
It showed Ireland is No11 in the world when it comes to having fast food on the menu. But it pales in comparison to the US which spends more than any other country on fast food – three times as much as Ireland.
Australia takes the runner-up position with Canada third and the UK in eighth place.
But the report said concerns over the obesity crisis in Ireland have increased the popularity of chicken.
It added: “Chicken fast food is increasingly perceived as a healthier alternative to burger fast food.”
The report also spoke of the meat’s popularity due to its low “food miles” as poultry production is a large part of Irish agriculture. It added: “Supermac’s was one of the first chains in Ireland to emphasise the provenance of ingredients to appeal to consumers.
“Meanwhile, Mcdonald’s and
Burger King have begun to enter into more agreements with domestic suppliers to emphasise their offer.”
The report also noted restrictions with “no-fry zones” around schools could hinder the growth of fast food outlets after Wicklow County Council voted for such a ban. It added: “Each council retains the right to issue a trading permit on an individual basis but the Government is reviewing proposals to make ‘no fry’ zones mandatory.
“The move is being hotly contested by trade associations, which may delay nationwide implementation.
“However, given the huge numbers of Irish schools, such a move would make expansion very difficult for fast food outlets.”
How much in euro is spent per head of the population