EATING OUT - STATISTICS AND SOCIETY - PRESIDENTIAL-ADDRESS

Eating-out is generally considered to be of increasing importance as a form of food consumption even though there are differing definitions of its scope. There have recently been some noteworthy additions to th e available statistics on eating-out in the UK and these indicate its growth through time and its pattern across society. Eating-out involve s a degree of interaction with others and has been studied by sociolog ists as well as by those whose interest primarily stems from ones in t he agri-food chain or in food consumption. It also raises some interes ting issues about how 'externalities' (and, in particular those arisin g from smoking) are best allowed for in circumstances in which both ap plication of the polluter-pays principle and very restrictive regulati ons may be considered impractical and inappropriate.