Why Nutrition Labelling is the Next Big Step for Out-of-Home Food Operators

The way people eat has shifted dramatically in recent years. From high street cafés to quick-service takeaways and digital delivery platforms across the UK and Europe, out-of-home food (OHF) now accounts for an estimated 25–30% of daily calorie intake and is playing a growing role in daily diets.

As takeaway and delivery usage continues to soar post-pandemic, scrutiny is now expanding beyond the supermarket shelf to restaurant menus and mobile ordering apps. For food business owners, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: How to meet rising demand for healthier options while staying competitive in an increasingly health-conscious market.

Consumer Expectations Are Changing

According to research by Mintel and EIT Food:

• 52% of Europeans now actively seek healthier options when eating out.
• Younger consumers especially are more likely to choose meals that are clearly labelled or come with health-focused messaging.
• Interest in plant-based, low-sugar, and high-protein meals continues to grow.

What has become clear is that visibility matters. Consumers are increasingly influenced by the nutritional information available to them at the point of purchase, whether on a chalkboard menu, a leaflet, or digital screen.

The Power of Clear, Visual Healthy Menu Labelling

While nutrition labelling has long been mandatory on packaged foods, it has only recently begun to gain traction in the OHF sector. Early studies show it’s already making a difference.

Research confirms that tools like Nutri-Score and what is known as the “traffic light” labelling system – using colors to quickly communicate the nutritional content of food, specifically fat, saturated fat, sugars, and salt, in a way that is easy to understand; green means low, amber means medium, and red means high – help consumers better understand nutritional content and make more informed choices about their food purchases.

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Labels that highlight key information like calories, fat, sugar, and salt perform best, particularly when displayed on menu boards, at counters, or during digital checkout where customers are making their choices. This sort of clarity can translate into stronger customer loyalty and increased trust for businesses.

From Compliance to Competitive Advantage

While nutrition labelling for restaurants isn’t yet mandatory across Europe for OHF providers, it’s clear which way the wind is blowing: Several national governments are already exploring reform, and EU-wide mandates could soon be on the horizon.

Rather than viewing this as a looming obligation, however, forward-thinking operators can treat it as a strategic move. It can be seen as an opportunity to differentiate, win health-conscious consumers, and future-proof their business.

Adding calorie information on menus or adopting Nutri-Score for takeaway items doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated. In fact, brands are increasingly turning to custom-designed labels to do just that.

Practical Next Steps: Start Small, Label Smart

We recommend businesses explore voluntary nutrition transparency by adopting simple, visual labelling formats that:

• Show essential data like calories, fat, sugar, and salt at a quick glance
• Are customisable to your brand’s tone and design style.
• Can be applied across both physical and digital touchpoints including printed menus and food delivery platforms.

These practices help your business demonstrate leadership in an evolving food landscape and improve upon the customer experience while promoting public health. Turning to tools like the DateCodeGenie^® automated labelling system can help businesses meet demand and maintain high standards with little to no stress.

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Out-of-Home Food Is Under the Spotlight

As the appetite for healthy menu labelling grows, so too does the expectation that food businesses will act responsibly and transparently. Whether you’re running a café in London, a delivery kitchen in Berlin, or a takeaway chain across multiple countries, now is the time to explore your options.

Nutrition labelling for restaurants isn’t just about compliance. It’s a chance to build trust, boost visibility, and stay ahead of the curve.

Give your labelling operations the support they need with NCCO