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New website supports kJ displays in fast food

Sarah Stowe

The NSW Food Authority has launched a new education campaign called ‘8700kJ’ to encourage consumers to make more informed choices when ordering fast food.

The campaign follows NSW legislation which made kilojoule labelling on menu boards at fast food chains with 20 or more outlets across NSW mandatory as of 1 February 2012.

Minister for Primary Resources, Katrina Hodgkinson said the 8700kJ campaign is focused on educating the public about their kilojoule intake and giving them easy access to information in order to make balanced food choices.

“The average Australian consumes 8700 kilojoules of food and drink each day, yet only five per cent of people are aware of how many kilojoules they should be consuming,” Hodgkinson said.

“From today, to complement the legislation and new labelling system, consumers can visit www.8700.com.au to calculate their ideal kilojoule intake, search food outlets to see how many kilojoules are in the food they are eating, and learn about how exercise can help burn kilojoules.”

The NSW government has also launched an 8700kJ app which will be available on iPhone, iPad and Android.

Hodgkinson encouraged the public to visit the 8700kJ website and learn more about their individual kilojoule intake.

“The NSW government has found there is a strong desire to make informed eating decisions but until now Australians havent had the tools to do so. The 8700kJ campaign is about providing these tools for people to make balanced decisions about food without telling them what to eat,” she said.

Some of the first franchise systems to jump on board and introduce kilojoule displays on their menus were Hungry Jacks, McDonald’s, Subway, and Domino’s Pizza.

Queensland has also agreed to make similar moves when legislation is introduced this year.