ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. David A. Paterson has announced he has proposed legislation to help fight obesity by requiring calorie posting in restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores that belong to large chains. The initiative is intended to help consumers make informed choices when purchasing food prepared away from home.
The governor's proposal builds upon the New York City initiative requiring calorie posting by restaurants and mobile vendors, but extends the requirement to other foodservice operations that prepare ready-to-eat foods on site. Restaurants, mobile vendors, grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail stores belonging to chains that do business nationally and offer standardized menus will be required to post calorie counts for all items listed on menus and menu boards, including menu boards at drive-thru windows.
The bill has been submitted to the legislature for introduction and follows the recent submission of two other Governor's Program Bills to combat obesity, including one that will prohibit the use of trans fats in restaurants and other food service operations.
If the bill were to pass, New York would become the third state after California and Massachusetts to require calorie postings on menu boards. Two federal bills also have been proposed in the U.S. Senate and House: the Labeling Education and Nutrition (LEAN) Act, which is supported by the National Restaurant Association, and the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (N.Y.) reports that New York Senate Health Committee chairman Thomas Duane and assemblyman Felix Ortiz, who have introduced a similar bill, said they would sponsor the governor's legislation. It's unclear when the bill would be considered.
Rick Sampson, president and CEO of the New York Restaurant Association, said Paterson's bill would allow local laws to go further than state law and stressed that the association believes it's important any state legislation passed supersede local laws to ensure a uniform standard.
The legislation would apply to restaurant chains with 15 or more locations.
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