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Two federal lawmakers have introduced legislation to require fast-food and other chain restaurants to post calories on menu boards and food display tags. The chains also would have to put information about calories, fats, carbohydrates and salt on printed menus.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) on Thursday introduced the Menu Education and Labeling Act, called the MEAL Act for short. They said it would help consumers make more informed choices about the nutritional content of the food they are ordering.
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Health advocates believe that when people see the amount of calories, fat and salt in meals before they order them, they will gravitate to more healthful selections.“Consumers play an impossible guessing game trying to make healthier choices in restaurants,” said Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Who would guess that a large chocolate shake at McDonald’s has more calories than two Big Macs or that a multigrain bagel at Dunkin’ Donuts has 140 more calories than a jelly doughnut?”
The restaurant industry is pushing a competing bill. The Labeling Education and Nutrition Act, nicknamed the LEAN Act, would require chains with more than 20 units to post calorie counts. It also would nullify state and local measures now in effect and preempt future regional measures.
#27 RSweeney – You must not be a vegan. BTW, all foods have some kind of poison in them.
The labeling want do much. Those who watch their usually already know which ones have higher calories, fats, carbohydrates and salt.
#18 – Thanks for that, Uncle Dave. That looks delish! So much so, in fact, that I just booked an airline seat to go home and try a few.
I’ve booked two seats coming back…
#28 deowll: “Why do people want cheese and bacon on their burgers?”
Let’s see. It’s either
a)because it will clog my arteries faster than a shedding collie will clog the shower drain or
b)because it tastes good
You know, deowll, it’s seldom the food itself that is bad for your health but the amount of it we consume. Heck, go to Glasgow and get yourself a deep-fried Mars Bar if that sounds good to you. You’ll survive just fine. Now, have one every day, you may not do too well.
Me? I’ll have my 100X100 with a large order of fries and a Diet Coke, please.
RSweeney, With your rather paranoid view of poisons, it’s amazing that you eat anything at all. Keep your peanut butter in the fridge, and store your potatoes in the dark, and you’ll avoid the toxins you speak of.
I’m starting to support Lamar Alexander’s idea of limiting Congress to 6 months and half pay.
Give them a full year, and they just pass more and more laws.