The Department of Health published the Public Health Responsibility Deal in March 2011.
The Responsibility Deal is a partnership between the Department of Health, industry and the health community and covers five different networks; alcohol, food, physical activity, health at work and behaviour change. The scheme's purpose is to help people "change their behaviour" by giving them better information about their lifestyle choices as well as more options to eat and drink more healthily or take more exercise at home and work.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced more than 170 signatories to the first phase of the deal. Mitchells & Butlers has been engaged in both the alcohol and food network groups which have developed a series of pledges for action across the industry.
Mitchells & Butlers has signed up to a series of alcohol pledges including providing clear unit labelling on our drinks menus, support of alcohol awareness campaigns and taking part in the Challenge 21 scheme. Harvester has also signed up to the calorie labelling pledge - this follows the brand becoming the first UK-wide restaurant chain to print calories on menus.
As a Company we are keen to play our part in working with Government and industry on public health issues. We understand we have a duty to ensure the responsible operation of all our businesses for our guests, employees and the wider community, which includes ensuring consumers, have the information they need to make informed choices when eating and drinking in our businesses.