Fast Food Calorie Counts Unconstitutional
New York City, which is fast becoming a nutritional trail blazer by banning trans-fats in restaurants, has suffered a setback in its latest efforts to get calorie count information posted on restaurant menus. A judge struck down the new requirement due to the “voluntary aspect” of requiring only those restaurants that have posted nutritional information “voluntarily”, such as on websites and pamplets, to comply. This was done to target the big fast food chains such as McDonalds and Wendy’s. Not surprisingly these restaurants pulled these “voluntary calorie counts” and argued that they were exempt from the new rules.
Don’t think NYC is going to take this latest setback lying down. The Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, responded with this shot across the bow:
“Anyone who thinks we’re going to walk away from trying to tell the public what they’re eating and what it’s doing to them doesn’t understand the obligation this city’s health department has”
Get ready for the City to do away with the “voluntary” provision and mandate calorie counts for all restaurants to comply with federal laws.
Whether calorie count information will lead consumers to make better choices is debatable. Since 99% of the food in most fast food restaurants consists of “triple bypass” food a better idea is to copy the Surgeon General warning on cigarettes.
- SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Eating this Food Causes Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes.
- SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Not Eating this Food Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health.
- SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: This Food Contains Large Amounts of Saturated Fat, Sugar, and Salt.
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Israel { 09.14.07 at 2:00 pm }
this is just a minor impediment for nyc. they will get their way, it is only right that fast food chains post the info on their products.
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Marge Clark { 09.14.07 at 7:40 pm }
The cost of treating all the diseases associated with obesity, is staggering. I have asked for a calorie and fat count at a couple of chains and usually all I get is a ” We’ll have to ask the manager. They are in his office.” And guess what? The manager cannot find them! I know the fat count on their low fat ice cream is horrible. So are most of the calories, too. Maybe if we all cooked at home they would get the message. Marge
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