WASHINGTON—Large U.S. chain restaurants agreed this week to support legislation that would require chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to list the number of calories per item on menu boards and make available upon request other nutritional information such as the amount of sugar, salt or cholesterol, reported Reuters.
The proposed menu labeling law is backed by the National Restaurant Association, which includes Dunkin Donuts and Darden Restaurants Inc, operator of the Red Lobster and Olive Garden chains. The American Diabetes Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest also support the legislation.
"America is facing an obesity epidemic which must be addressed at the national level," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). "This compromise will allow Americans to be informed about the nutrition content of their foods prior to the point of purchase."