Wedding feasts in Karnataka could soon come with something many guests may not be prepared for- a calorie count alongside the biryani, mutton curry and sweets. The state Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to issue an advisory asking caterers to display the calorific content of food items served at weddings and social events attended by more than 50 people.
The move is aimed at making people more aware of how much they are eating at large gatherings, where multiple dishes are often served together and it can be easy to lose track of portion sizes.
Why Does Karnataka Want Calorie Counts At Weddings?
FDA Commissioner K Srinivas said lavish wedding and social-event meals can include several calorie-heavy dishes such as mutton curry, fish
fry, biryani, sambar, rice and one or two sweets. A person could consume as many as 5,000 calories in a single meal at such gatherings which is before counting breakfast, dinner, snacks or drinks consumed during the rest of the day, the official said.
Owing to this, displaying calorie information could encourage guests to make more informed choices about what and how much they eat.
Will Every Wedding In Karnataka Need A Calorie Chart?
Not necessarily. The proposed advisory is aimed at caterers serving weddings and social gatherings attended by more than 50 people. The FDA is set to issue the advisory, meaning the proposal is focused on large events rather than every wedding or private gathering in the state. The exact format and implementation details of the calorie displays will depend on the advisory.
What Could A Wedding Calorie Chart Look Like?
The idea is to display the calorific content of individual dishes served at the event. So, instead of simply seeing “mutton curry”, “biryani” or “gulab jamun” on a menu, guests could also be told how many calories each serving contains. The intention is not necessarily to stop people from eating their favourite wedding dishes but to make the nutritional cost of a large meal more visible.
Why Is Karnataka FDA Worried About Overeating?
The department said that large social gatherings can encourage people to eat substantially more than they normally would because several dishes are served together. Srinivas also pointed to the potential increase in sugar and sodium intake when such meals are combined with other food consumed during the day. He said excessive consumption over time can contribute to health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Is Karnataka Also Targeting Cloud Kitchens And Home Chefs?
Yes. The FDA is also considering special inspection drives targeting cloud kitchens and home chefs, as these businesses have grown rapidly. The proposed checks would focus on food-safety practices and the quality of ingredients being used by such establishments.
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