Manitoban families will have more information about the nutrition contents of restaurant meals and be able to make healthier choices under the new Informed Dining program. This announcement was made by Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau.
“Just like when choosing food in a grocery store based on the contents listed on the label, families will have information on calories, sodium and other nutrients,” Rondeau said. “This will allow them to make informed and healthier choices when eating in a restaurant.”
Based on the program developed in British Columbia, participating members of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) in Manitoba will display the Informed Dining logo and list details about the nutrition contents of their meals, the minister said. As the program rolls out, restaurants will not have to be members of the CRFA to participate in the program. Once plans are formalized, this program will be open to any and all restaurants interested, Rondeau said.
Restaurants currently offering the program in Manitoba include Subway and Boston Pizza. Other restaurants such as Dairy Queen, McDonald’s and Tim Hortons are in the process of joining the program. During the coming months, the CRFA and the provincial government will be working together to bring even more restaurants into the program, Rondeau said.
“I am thrilled that Manitoba has joined B.C. in supporting families who want to make informed decisions about the food they eat,” said B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake. “Our government has worked closely with industry and public health stakeholders to develop the Informed Dining program, which provides valuable nutrition information so that consumers can make the healthy choice the easy choice.”
“Today’s restaurant customers are looking for more information about the food they eat, and Informed Dining delivers,” said Garth Whyte, president and CEO of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “The Manitoba government is to be congratulated for bringing this program to Manitoba, giving consumers the nutrition information they want, in a consistent and recognizable format. I encourage other provinces to join with Manitoba and British Columbia so that consumers see the Informed Dining logo in restaurants right across Canada.”
For details on Informed Dining, visit www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/hlp/nutrition.
