| Federal experts hope providing nutritional facts on restaurant menus can decrease the obesity rate. Keith Hale~Sun-Times |
A new federal law will soon make American diners far more aware of just what they are eating — but it might not change what they order.
The law will force chain restaurants to disclose the amount of calories, fat and sodium in diners’ favorite dishes. Many restaurants already are preparing for the changes, calculating calories in their meals, adjusting recipes and adding healthier choices.
At the same time, experts are divided over whether the new information will shock people into ordering protein-packed salmon instead of calorie- and fat-laden fettuccine Alfredo, or if it’s just more meddling by the federal government that takes the pleasure out of eating.
The move is driven by the nation’s growing weight problems. Thirty percent of Americans are classified as being obese, and that number is growing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Government experts say including nutritional facts can help decrease those rates. Others say it won’t work because only those who already take responsibility for their diet will care.
Starting next year, restaurant chains with 20 or more locations will be required to print calorie counts on menus under the new federal menu-labeling regulation, part of the new health-care law.
The law also requires the chains to make other nutritional information available by request.
A statutory 60-day period for comments began April 1. The Food and Drug Administration expects to publish requirements by the end of this year. The law would take effect six to nine months after the requirements are published.
The federal law is backed by most major chains and the National Restaurant Association, which anticipated that a patchwork of local labeling laws would only get more complicated in the future. And while many restaurant and fast-food chains already post nutritional information on websites or on brochures available on counters, the FDA wants the calories in plain sight.
Americans spend 45 percent of their food budget dining out, according to the Restaurant Association. The CDC and other health experts have linked the nation’s obesity rates to eating out. And being overweight is a driver for chronic diseases and high health-care costs.
“Trying to find the healthy options when dining out can be more difficult than you think. Even a salad can be loaded with hidden fat and sodium,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who co-authored the menu-labeling provisions in the health-care law.
Source: www.suntimes.com
The law will force chain restaurants to disclose the amount of calories, fat and sodium in diners’ favorite dishes. Many restaurants already are preparing for the changes, calculating calories in their meals, adjusting recipes and adding healthier choices.
At the same time, experts are divided over whether the new information will shock people into ordering protein-packed salmon instead of calorie- and fat-laden fettuccine Alfredo, or if it’s just more meddling by the federal government that takes the pleasure out of eating.
The move is driven by the nation’s growing weight problems. Thirty percent of Americans are classified as being obese, and that number is growing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Government experts say including nutritional facts can help decrease those rates. Others say it won’t work because only those who already take responsibility for their diet will care.
Starting next year, restaurant chains with 20 or more locations will be required to print calorie counts on menus under the new federal menu-labeling regulation, part of the new health-care law.
The law also requires the chains to make other nutritional information available by request.
A statutory 60-day period for comments began April 1. The Food and Drug Administration expects to publish requirements by the end of this year. The law would take effect six to nine months after the requirements are published.
The federal law is backed by most major chains and the National Restaurant Association, which anticipated that a patchwork of local labeling laws would only get more complicated in the future. And while many restaurant and fast-food chains already post nutritional information on websites or on brochures available on counters, the FDA wants the calories in plain sight.
Americans spend 45 percent of their food budget dining out, according to the Restaurant Association. The CDC and other health experts have linked the nation’s obesity rates to eating out. And being overweight is a driver for chronic diseases and high health-care costs.
“Trying to find the healthy options when dining out can be more difficult than you think. Even a salad can be loaded with hidden fat and sodium,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who co-authored the menu-labeling provisions in the health-care law.
Source: www.suntimes.com
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