Family Life

06.11.09 | FL News Team

Proposed legislation is being embraced by large chain restaurants that would require them to disclose calories on their menus.  The menu labeling law could come up in Congress during the next few weeks as part of health reform legislation.  The idea is to have restaurants with 20 or more locations list the number of calories for each item on their menus.  Other nutritional facts, such as the amount of sugar or salt in the foods, would have to be made available.  The measure has the support of the National Restaurant Association, the American Diabetes Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest.  

Nearly a third of adults in the U.S. are obese, raising the possibility of diabetes, heart disease and other medical complications.  California already has laws requiring fast-food restaurant chains to provide information on calories and a similar law is also in effect in New York City.  More than a dozen states are also discussing various health code provisions.  The restaurant industry wants to see a uniform nationwide approach about providing such information, rather than have to deal with several local and state laws.  The restaurant association says a set of regulations covering all would make it easier for all eateries and better protect them from frivolous lawsuits.