Pints in pubs could be forced to display calorie counts under leaked new plans, it has been reported.
Health chiefs are said to have ordered that larger pub chains must reveal the amount of calories that are in its beers, wine and spirits.
It would apply to those beverages served in bars, and both menus and pump labels would need to display the information.
Alcohol sold in shops would also reportedly be required to print calorie information as well as a health warning.
The labels would feature warnings about drinking from Professor Chris Whitty and the dangers of drink driving.
The Sun reports that Public Health Minister Jo Churchill has told colleagues she wants to launch a 12-week consultation on the plans.
It would make any business with at least 250 people required to publish the calorie information on its drinks, which would include most major pub chains.
But there has been criticism about the plans which would affect an industry already struggling since the start of the pandemic.
The Adam Smith Institute was reported to have said: “Brits backing their locals are well aware that too many pints makes beer belly more likely.
“We don't need government enforced calorie counts to tell us something we already know.”
Matt Kilcoyne of the group went on to say that the idea was 'madness' and it should be dropped.
He said: ”Let the publicans and the punters do what they want in the pubs without Mr Hancock wagging his finger each time a pint is pulled.”
A pint of 4 per cent lager can contain about 180 calories, while a pint of ale or stout at 5 per cent contains as much as 250 calories.
A small glass of red or rose wine at 120ml contains about 83 calories, while white sits at about 77 calories.
The NHS says that the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.
