Azzurri Group to introduce carbon labelling on menus

The company behind the Zizzi, ASK Italian and Coco di Mama restaurant brands is set to introduce carbon labelling on all its menus by 2025.

Azzurri Group, which runs over 220 restaurants and employs 4,500 people in the UK, announced the target as part of a plan for it to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Its aim is that by 2030 65% of dishes on its menu will be ‘low' or ‘very low' carbon options.

Azzurri said the move would help its customers make "more informed choices" about their dishes and drive a shift towards more sustainable diets.

"We're determined to invest in becoming a more sustainable business, delivering long-term, positive change for our people and our planet," said Steve Holmes, group chief executive of Azzurri.

In the past year contract caterers Benugo and BM have also begun introducing carbon labelling on their menus similar to the ‘traffic light' system used to highlight calories on food products.

Azzurri's carbon information will be drawn from the Foodsteps platform, which has a database on the environmental impacts of food.

According to Foodsteps, its data is based on peer-reviewed scientific studies, as well as in-house research, and is independently reviewed by academics and industry experts.

Azzurri has also committed to helping 10,000 people enter the job market through apprenticeships, internships, work placements and training by 2030.

It will also give all its team members the opportunity to volunteer in their local communities by 2025 as part of its ‘Recipe for a Better Future' initiative.

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