So do you have to show the kilojoule content?

So what is a kilojoule?

It is a measurement of energy and it is recommended that active adult Australians consume 8700kJ per day to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The problem is that the term kilojoule is a relatively recent introduction and therefore many people still think in terms of calories.

A calorie is 4.2 kilojoules, but this is not a calculation bouncing around in most people’s mind.

It is well known that to stop weight gain, your energy intake should be less than your energy output, in other words you should be eating less in terms of energy than you burn during the day.

So, in an increasingly obese society, knowing how much energy you are consuming is important.

It is a requirement that all packaged food shows the energy content in 100g and serving sizes, so that people can keep an eye on their energy intake.

However, many people eat food that is not packaged, particularly food from fast food places.

Therefore in some states and territories it is already a legal requirement for those businesss to display the kilojoule content of their serving sizes of every item on their menus.

The problem is those people who just do not understand what the kilojoule number means.

So the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation is reviewing kiulojoule contents across all states and territories as part of it’s current review of fast food menu labelling scheme.

The menu labelling scheme was introduced by the Australian Federal Government in 2011 and has since become mandatory in most states and territories.Tasmania and the Northern Territory believe they do not have enough fast food restaraunts to make it mandatory.

Submissions can be made to the Food Regulation Secretary by 16 March 2018