'That'll be 650 calories, sir'

Calories will be displayed alongside price in many fast-food and other restaurants as part of an experiment backed by the government.

Seventeen restaurant chains and catering companies including Burger King, Pizza Hut and KFC have signed up to strict criteria set out by the Foods Standards Agency (FSA), working with the Department of Health, pledging to give consumers more information about what they are eating.

The scheme is similar to those in New York and California. Food outlets must show the number of calories in each portion in writing that is clear and at least as 'prominent' as the name or price of the product. Calorie information for most food and drink must be displayed on menu boards, menus or on the edge of shelves.

By the end of June, 350 outlets across the country will have menus carrying calorie information and more companies are expected to join the scheme in the coming months.

Not the full picture

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said: 'People want to easily see how many calories are in the food and drink they order when they eat out. This ground-breaking group of companies will help people to know what's in the food they are eating. I want to see more companies and more outlets to help even more people live healthier lives.'

The American schemes are, not for the first time, running into legal trouble with resturanteurs complaining of the confusion caused by different states and jurisdictions operating different rules. A campaign for a national law on food labelling is gathering momentum.

Violators of the New York rule which imposes fines of up to $2,000 dollars have included Domino's Pizza, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's.

Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson has told the BBC that 'people already know what foods are good or bad for them'. He said: 'Printing the number of calories next to a dish won't give customers a full picture. Olive oil, for example, is very good for you but it would add a lot of calories to a dish. Why not just let people enjoy their dinner in peace?'

• What do you think? There are reports that the New York labelling scheme has reduced calorie consumption. Would you eat differently if you had this calorie information?
• August 2008: Call for fast food facts on fat and nutrition