Fast food outlets across WA could soon be forced to display kilojoule labelling under a new state government plan tackling obesity.
The Department of Health will look into the idea to encourage consumers to make healthier lifestyle choices.
WA is one of the last states to force fast food chains to display nutritional information on menus and price points throughout their restaurants.
Some WA outlets forming part of nation-wide franchises already offer in-store kilojoule information due to mandatory labelling laws in the ACT, NSW, Queensland, SA and Victoria.
The Northern Territory, Tasmania and WA are the only states without such legislation.
With two thirds of adults in the state overweight or obese, Health Minister Roger Cook said more needs to be done to encourage healthy eating.
“There is strong public support for nutrition labelling in WA, and there is evidence that it encourages people to make healthier choices," he said.
This is the latest initiative to come from the state government's Preventative Health Summit held in March this year.
Several measures from the summit have been introduced including improved compliance in hospital food standards and a ban on alcohol advertising across the public transport system.
“While many of the Preventive Health Summit expert recommendations can be addressed at a State Government level, there are some things that state governments can’t change.
“That’s why I’ve asked the Federal Government to provide some important leadership in this area as well."
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