2010 Health Care Bill Section 2572

2010 Health Care Bill Section 2572

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Tucked inside the giant health care bill Congress passed last week was a small piece of legislation that will require restaurant chains with 20 or more stores to display the calorie counts of their menu items on their boards and printed menus. This move has actually been welcomed by national restaurant industry groups because it will create one federal standard and prevent the patchwork legislation currently being created by individual states and municipalities from spreading. The FDA has a year to craft the guidelines establishments must follow, so you won’t be seeing the the 860 calories next to the California Pizza Kitchen’s innocent sounding hummus starter next time you’re looking for a light appetizer until 2011.

I think the labeling requirements are a great idea. I know that many chains have nutrition information available on their websites or in pamphlets that you have to ask for in the store, but who really seeks out that information before or during the ordering process? It’s much more difficult to ignore the truth when you see in black and white that the coffee you are about to order contains over 400 calories. However, even though I am excited about the new disclosure requirements, I know that it is only a step in the right direction, not the solution to America’s weight problems:

Information does not equal action. The New York Times reported on a study that was conducted in New York City last year after nutrition labeling laws were enacted. The article reported some discouraging facts. Only about 56% of the people in the study said they even noticed the posted calorie information, and a dismal 15% said they actually used the information when placing their order. Those people ordered 106 fewer calories on average than those who ignored the postings. Labeling laws can be beneficial, but only if consumers are willing to take action.

The numbers DO lie. In a separate article, the New York Times reported that the nutritional information provided by chain restaurants is not always accurate. In fact, the calorie content of a particular item can vary greatly from store to store depending on how it was prepared at a particular location. Some of the foods tested under reported actual calorie counts by 30% or more! You only be sure of what you are consuming if you prepared it or saw it prepared.

Nutrition is more than calories. It is not clear what, if any, other information will have to be disclosed on menu boards. Fat, sodium, and sugar content are also alarmingly high in many restaurant foods and should not be ignored. Also, processed and artificial foods, no matter what their calorie content, are not necessarily things you want to but putting into your body and the bodies of your family members. Consider the quality of the food that you eat and make sure you are eating as many whole foods as you can!

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