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| Offer smaller portions, chip shops urged | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| It's Friday - the ideal time for fish and chips. But are you finding that however big your appetite, you just cannot finish the giant portion of chips served by your favourite fryer? | It's Friday - the ideal time for fish and chips. But are you finding that however big your appetite, you just cannot finish the giant portion of chips served by your favourite fryer? |
| Now a wholesaler has suggested fish and chip shops should sell "extra small" portions as a healthier option. | |
| JJ Food Service, supplier to more than 1,000 UK shops, says small portions could still be cut by almost a third. | |
| An industry survey has suggested 45% of customers want smaller chip portions. | An industry survey has suggested 45% of customers want smaller chip portions. |
| In the same survey, 36% would opt for a smaller fish portion, given the choice, to cut down on calories. | In the same survey, 36% would opt for a smaller fish portion, given the choice, to cut down on calories. |
| The National Federation of Fish Friers pointed out that families who knew they were getting "huge portions" were ordering with that in mind and sharing them. | |
| Andrew Crook, vice president of the federation, said: "We know that fish and chips are twice as healthy as burgers and chips, but it's not often a meal for one anymore". | |
| 'Massive' portions | 'Massive' portions |
| The survey by Seafish, the seafood authority, suggests that 53% of consumers would like to know the fat content of a portion of fish and chips. | The survey by Seafish, the seafood authority, suggests that 53% of consumers would like to know the fat content of a portion of fish and chips. |
| But it is difficult to estimate as there is no industry standard on portion sizes. | But it is difficult to estimate as there is no industry standard on portion sizes. |
| There are more than 10,500 traditional fish and chip shops in the UK and most of them are independent. | There are more than 10,500 traditional fish and chip shops in the UK and most of them are independent. |
| Together they vastly outnumber some of the UK's biggest fast food outlets, according to the federation, which include 1,250 McDonalds outlets and 840 Kentucky Fried Chicken branches. | Together they vastly outnumber some of the UK's biggest fast food outlets, according to the federation, which include 1,250 McDonalds outlets and 840 Kentucky Fried Chicken branches. |
| Mr Crook explained that many fish and chip shops offer larger portions to draw customers away from their competitors. | Mr Crook explained that many fish and chip shops offer larger portions to draw customers away from their competitors. |
| Elit Rowland, head of communications for JJ Food Services, said: "The average portion size for a small fish and chips is actually quite massive, and can range from 10oz to 20oz. | |
| "We've found that customers want a small portion and we think that 10oz of chips is roughly the right amount for a small portion." | "We've found that customers want a small portion and we think that 10oz of chips is roughly the right amount for a small portion." |
| One in five people visit fish and chip shops every week, while 56% buy takeaway fish and chips to eat at home as a family meal, according to the National Federation of Fish Friers. | |
| 'Light bite' | 'Light bite' |
| James Clarke, a manager at Simpson's in Cheltenham, the current fish and chip shop of year, said around 90% of people order the traditional battered fish and chips. | James Clarke, a manager at Simpson's in Cheltenham, the current fish and chip shop of year, said around 90% of people order the traditional battered fish and chips. |
| Simpson's offers two different cod portion sizes: seven ounces and nine ounces, though Mr Clarke, who is also the restaurant's main fryer, said he will cook to order. | Simpson's offers two different cod portion sizes: seven ounces and nine ounces, though Mr Clarke, who is also the restaurant's main fryer, said he will cook to order. |
| "We have a regular customer, an older gentleman, who likes a four ounce portion and we're more than happy to make that for him." | "We have a regular customer, an older gentleman, who likes a four ounce portion and we're more than happy to make that for him." |
| He said the man was one of a number of older customers who prefer smaller portions. | He said the man was one of a number of older customers who prefer smaller portions. |
| Mr Clarke added: "We have always offered oven-baked fish, and probably once a day someone will order it." | Mr Clarke added: "We have always offered oven-baked fish, and probably once a day someone will order it." |
| Mr Crook, who also runs a fish and chip shop near Chorley in Lancashire, said that while people will always favour the traditional cod and chips, he had seen a trend towards "light bite" options and healthier cooking methods. | Mr Crook, who also runs a fish and chip shop near Chorley in Lancashire, said that while people will always favour the traditional cod and chips, he had seen a trend towards "light bite" options and healthier cooking methods. |
| He said: "Everyone knows you're supposed to have fish twice a week and the easiest option is to buy it as many people are scared of cooking it, the smell and so on. | He said: "Everyone knows you're supposed to have fish twice a week and the easiest option is to buy it as many people are scared of cooking it, the smell and so on. |
| "But it's really healthy, and even mushy peas count as one of your five-a-day". | "But it's really healthy, and even mushy peas count as one of your five-a-day". |