A new independent study of consumer food attitudes and behaviour has reveled most people consider kilojoule information on menus in fast food chains. Heart Foundation Victoria cardiovascular health program director Kellie-Ann Jolly said the key point was people opted for smaller portions or water instead of soft drinks when using kilojoule information.

This report comes almost two months after the Heart Foundation staged a ‘pub intervention’ in Ballarat for Heart Week in early May. The intervention challenged participating pubs and clubs to modify their menus to ensure heart friendly options with at least one fish item, a dish with lots of vegetables and a fruit-based dessert for the week. Salt shakers were also removed from tables.

Ballarat has the state’s second highest rate of cardiovascular disease.

Ms Jolly said clear kilojoule labelling was vital with one-third of Australians eating out on any given day, one in five at a fast food chain.