| 11/6/2003 Legislation Would Force Restaurants to Disclose Nutrition Content - 11/6 Meating Place The legislative move follows earlier discussion that the Food and Drug Administration was pondering such a move. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduced the bill, called the Menu Education and Labeling or MEAL bill, in the House. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said he would introduce a similar measure in the Senate. "Obesity is one of our nation's most pressing health issues," DeLauro told a news conference. "This bill ... will give consumers the necessary nutritional information to make healthy choices for themselves." She noted that Americans spend 46 percent of food dollars in restaurants now as compared to 26 percent in 1970. "And studies have shown that children eat almost twice as many calories when they eat at a restaurant as they do when they eat at home," DeLauro said. The 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act put nutritional information on the labels of packaged foods but restaurants are exempted. The new law would apply to standard menu items offered by chains with 20 or more outlets and exempt mom-and-pop independent restaurants. The National Restaurant Association has vocally opposed the bill, calling it unnecessary and burdensome. Related Link: http://www.meatingplace.com |
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