Asia-Pacific

Australia to host fast food forum

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-26 19:11

SYDNEY - The New South Wales (NSW) government of Australia will hold a fast food forum next month to discuss its plan to force larger chains to publish nutritional information such as calorie and fat content.

Related readings:  McDonald's faces possible lawsuit over fast-food marketing to kids  Kids becoming fatter thanks to fast food  No fries with that: fast food axed at Afghan bases  Philippine fast food giant rearranges businesses

"There's no doubt consumers want more information about the fast food they are eating," NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said in a statement on Monday.

"That's why I am consulting with industry in my advocating for a national approach for large fast food chains to publish more information about their products."

Keneally and former premier Bob Car will co-chair the fast food forum on August 16, which will look at the government's plans to tackle the "supersize" culture of the big restaurant chains.

Up to 100 people are expected to attend the forum, including health experts, representatives of the fast food industry and policy makers.