Pub operators have been asked to make three specific commitments on responsible retailing - including providing alcohol unit information at point-of-sale - for the Government’s “Responsibility Deal” with the industry.
The Government also wants pubs to commit to including calorie labelling on food and soft drinks by 1 September 2011, reducing salt levels in food by 15% by the end of 2012, and promoting a more healthy lifestyle among staff.
The Department of Health (DoH), which is spearheading the voluntary Responsibility Deal with the licensed trade, has written to the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) asking if members wanted to sign up ahead of the official launch.
Although the commitments are voluntary, the industry could ultimately face sanctions if they are not taken seriously. In a statement to members, ALMR said: “Minister have made clear that sign up to the Deal will be taken into account in considering new legislation in these areas and could help fend off further calls for action from the health lobby.”
The three specific pledges on responsible drinking, which pubs are asked to sign up to, are:
1) Underage sales. A commitment to reduce or prevent underage sales, primarily via Challenge 21. ALMR said: “This should be an easy commitment for most companies and is simply formally recording existing best practice.”
2) Unit awareness. Pubs are asked to provide unit content of drinks at point of sale. The British Beer & Pub Association is already piloting a project to provide information through means such as beer mats and pump clips.
3) Support for “community alcohol initiatives” such as Best Bar None, pubwatch, and Business Improvement Districts.
The commitments on calorie counts and salt are included in separate pledges on a healthy diet. The DoH has outlined details of how these would work in practice for pubs and restaurants.
For example, for branded pre-packed products such as crisps, the responsibility for calorie counts would rest with the brand owner.
One-off meals and daily specials could be exempt under the pledge, which only relates to “standardised” food and drink menus - defined as items offered for 30 days or more per year.
Other pledges include promoting physical activity in the workplace and encouraging a healthier workforce by, for example, encouraging healthier options for staff meals.
A copy of the deal and pledge sheet are available from www.alrm.org.uk.
The Responsibility Deal also includes five general statements that firms are asked to endorse:
1) We recognise that we have a vital role to play in improving people’s health
2) We will encourage and enable people to adopt a healthier diet
3) We will foster a culture of responsible drinking, which will help people to drink within guidelines
4) We will encourage and assist people to become more physically active
5) We will actively support our workforce to lead healthier lives.
A DoH spokeswoman said there is currently no release date for the responsibility deal, which has being devised by a committee of industry figures and health bodies.
