The takeaway sector is today launching an online toolkit designed to help takeaways across the UK respond to consumer demand for healthier options.

The toolkit is based on best practice in the takeaway sector and consists of four simple and practical steps that most takeaways can implement. The BTC is working with its members to encourage all takeaways to adopt these steps.

The measures include:

Offering smaller portion sizes
Making sure water and low-sugar drinks are available
Not adding salt after cooking
Using healthier cooking methods and ingredients.

Commenting on the launch, British Takeaway Campaign (BTC) Chair Ibrahim Dogus said:

“The BTC is launching the Takeaway Toolkit to support restaurants who want to respond to consumer demand for healthier options. We know many takeaway businesses have already made real progress and providing this support will help many more to do so.”

He added:

“Most takeaway restaurants are small, independent businesses who face a confusing array of complex guidance and are unsure about where to start. Meanwhile, 42% see increased demand for healthier menu options being a key challenge over the next two years. Supporting these businesses, especially at a time when they face real financial pressures, such as rising rents, business rates and skills shortages, will ensure they can continue to thrive whilst doing their bit to promote healthy eating.”

The takeaway sector is incredibly diverse, offering a range of cuisine options including grilled chicken, kebabs and salads as well as traditional curries, sushi, and pizza. Takeaways are taking practical action to promote healthier eating, driven by consumer demand. For instance, 96% of takeaways offer vegetarian options, whilst 73% offer smaller portion sizes. Meanwhile, 65% offer low fat dishes and 59% provide low salt choices.

Making lots of small tweaks to takeaway menus can add up to a big overall impact. The Takeaway Toolkit’s four simple steps will provide more options for customers to enable them to make choices which are right for them – whether that’s selecting a smaller portion or healthier drink, or allowing them to take more ownership of the salt content of their meal. Meanwhile, by providing dishes cooked using alternative methods such as air-frying and grilling, and stepping up the fruit, vegetable and wholemeal carbohydrate content of menus, the Takeaway Toolkit will support takeaways across the country to make a real difference.

However the takeaway sector is only one part of the story. Obesity is a complex issue – with sedentary lifestyles, lack of exercise, and nutritional education major factors, alongside diet. It requires all of us – including Government, business, schools and parents – to play a part in making a difference.

The British Takeaway Campaign is also calling on the Government to recognise how far the sector has already come and to work with us by providing a free online calorie calculator to help takeaways provide consistent and reliable nutritional information to their customers. 9 in 10 of takeaway restaurants say they would use such a tool if it was available.1

BTC Champion Paul Scully, MP for Sutton and Cheam, said:

“It’s brilliant to see the British Takeaway Campaign launch an initiative to help takeaways offer healthier choices.

“Many takeaways across the UK are already making strong progress, and the Takeaway Toolkit’s four simple steps will be invaluable in helping to spread best practice even further.

“I would encourage takeaway businesses across my constituency and the rest of the country to download the BTC’s toolkit, and to make small tweaks to their menu which, when taken together, can add up to have a big overall impact.”