The report, which has been released today, notes that upward trends point to continued growth in out of home dining over the next five years. The companies surveyed by the BHA expect the sector to generate 10,000 new jobs in the next 12 months.
Results showed that 100% of the companies surveyed are providing healthier alternatives and lower calorie options. 94% are reducing salt in their meals and 88% are training chefs on cooking healthy options.
Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA, said: “This is a remarkable achievement and significant work is ongoing to further improve menus and choice in the FSM offer.
“Similarly, there has been positive engagement across many restaurant and hotel caterers, demonstrating the willingness of industry to work with Government to improve public health and reduce obesity in the UK.
“Significant investment has been made by many FSM companies to bring reporting in line with the Responsibility Deal.
“We would therefore urge the Department of Health to revive the Responsibility Deal, building on the commitments of hospitality businesses. Continuity of the programme would help to encourage the participation of greater numbers of businesses.”
A separate independent study for the BHA by Oxford Economics confirmed that hospitality as a whole is the UK’s fourth largest industry.