As a measure to combat rampant obesity and diabetes in Qatar, members of the Central Municipal Council are calling for calorie counts to be required on fast food menus.

The Peninsula newspaper reports today:

A proposal is being discussed by the Central Municipal Council (CMC) to make it mandatory for all international fast food chains operating here to include in their menu cards the calorific values and ingredients of all items.

The perception is that people don’t understand how unhealthy some of these foods are, and that this measure would create greater awareness.

The council’s role, however, is an advisory one. If its proposal is passed, it will then be handed over to the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning for amendments before the State Cabinet makes any decision on it.

Credit: Photo by Adam Gerard