Jan 22, 2008 8:37 pm US/Eastern
NYC Board Votes To Put Calorie Content On Menus
Board Of Health: Regulation Goes Into Effect March 31
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
City health officials have voted to require restaurant chains to display calorie information on their menus and menu boards. (File)
CBS 3
Sure you want to eat that fat-laden burger?
The Board of Health is hoping to shock New Yorkers into eating healthier by requiring thousands of restaurants to display calorie information front and center.
If you like McDonald's, Burger King or even Starbucks, get ready for something new that may affect what you buy there.
Get ready; starting in a couple months the next time you chow down on a Big Mac or even a Starbucks latte, you're going to know exactly how many calories you're getting.
On Tuesday, the Board of Health passed a regulation that requires restaurant chains with 15 or more locations nationwide to display calorie information on their menus and menu boards.
"I really think it's a good idea that people do that because, therefore, you're just more aware of what your child eats, or whoever your loved one as well." McDonald's customer Michelle Guanoluisa said.
Right now, obesity and diabetes are the only major health problems in New York City that are getting worse.
"Only about half of our daycare and school-age children at are a healthy weight and in some neighborhoods two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese," said Lynn Silver of the Department of Health/
Last year, Subway voluntarily started listing its calorie count on its menu board and found it did not hurt business and customers really appreciated the information.
"The calories, seeing them on the board, it makes it easier to make a choice," said Subway customer Jack Bello.
The New York State Restaurant Association is against the idea, saying many restaurants already supply nutrition information. It says the target should be parents.
"It's going to have to be a broader program," said Chuck Hunt of the NYSRA. "That's education that starts in the home."
Health experts plan to start here and have high expectations.
"It will result in about 150,000 fewer people becoming obese in the next five years and would prevent at least 30,000 people from getting diabetes," NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said.
The new regulation takes effect on March 31.
Last year the Board of Health tried to implement this regulation, but a lawsuit put a stop to it. The NYSRA is now considering whether it will take legal action again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Openly Gay Celebs
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments