Can I Have a Side of Calories with That?

New federal legislation in a draft of the health-care reform bill (Section 325 of H.R. 3200) is poised to require restaurant chains with 20 or more locations to display nutrition information, calorie counts and “suggested daily caloric intake” on their menus. As with most legislation, supporters and detractors are choosing sides and priming the ammunition.

The laissez-faire crowd is howling the usual outrage about excessive government control. (Apparently it will infringe on our rights to develop morbid obesity if we have an idea what we’re eating.) Those that have larger chains are pointing out that the majority of American restaurants have less than 20 units and will be flying under the radar―a valid argument, regardless of the motive. And obviously anyone concerned about obesity’s impact on public health is cheering the bill on.

From my perspective, the legislation doesn’t seem that onerous. While the “have it your way” operation of foodservice  does  throw an added level of difficulty to delivering meaningful numbers, it’s certainly better than relying on the public’s sketchy-at-best knowledge of calories and nutrition. The packaged food segment has been doing it for years. There’s lots of software out there that can supply pretty accurate results. Practically speaking, one of the best provisions from the bill would benefit the large chains by overruling the current and growing patchwork of state and local menu-labeling requirements for restaurants with 20 or more stores. And while I know in my heart an order of large fries is not a good idea, seeing that they are ¼ of my required daily caloric intake might be the incentive I need to order a plain salad instead.
   –Lynn A. Kuntz