British plan food and alcohol labeling

LONDON, March 12 (UPI) -- Britons soon will be told the alcohol content of every drink and the calorie count of every meal under a sweeping health initiative.

The "public health responsibility deal" between the government and the pub and restaurant industries will be officially announced next week, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Beer glasses will show drinkers how much of their daily alcohol limit they are consuming, and bottles and cans will carry warnings for pregnant women.

Restaurants and office cafeterias are to list calorie counts on menus, and employers will encourage workers to shun the elevator and walk up stairs.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has told its members: "Ministers have made it clear that signing up to the deal will be taken into account in considering new legislation in these areas. This could help fend off further calls for action from the health lobby."

The Health Department says the guidelines are meant to help people "change their behavior."

Harvester, one of Britain's largest restaurant chains, has begun labeling every menu item's calorie count, and KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's and Burger King are expected to follow suit.