A national strategy on obesity currently being prepared by a specifically-appointed committee will be targeting cooperation with the food industry, including restaurants and other food outlets.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar told Labour MP Leo Brincat that this would mean these outlets can join in the efforts by presenting healthy foods that would reduce negative effects on health.

Mr Brincat had asked if the government intended to emulate other European countries, including the UK recently, by introducing a voluntary scheme wherein major restaurants and take-away chains informed their clients of how many calories each of their dishes contained, thereby spurring on public health responsibility.

Dr Cassar said the committee would be considering Mr Brincat’s proposal in context.