Compass Group has pledged to remove 50 million calories from meals by 2020 in a new strategy it said would help “fight obesity.”

The foodservice giant has also launched a new drive to provide health and ­wellbeing information to adults and children through ‘health MOTs’ and children’s ­education programmes.

As part of the drive, Compass said it would look to establish its own foundation to help fund research in the area. It also made a series of product pledges as part of the Responsibility Deal, including a promise to serve two million extra portions of fruit and vegetables each year, as well as reductions in salt.

In addition, it is linking up with MyFitnessPal to allow thousands of recipes from across Compass’ sector businesses to be searchable through the MyFitnessPal app.

The moves follow criticism from retailers and suppliers, claiming the out-of-home sector has not done enough to back the Responsibility Deal.

“The foodservice industry has a key role in providing access to more healthy options and helping educate people about a healthy, balanced diet,” said Dennis Hogan, MD of Compass Group UK and Ireland.