0 Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have again introduced the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act, legislation that would require nutritional information to be displayed on chain restaurant menus and vending machines.
 
The Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act would close a loophole in the Nutrition Labeling Education Act (NLEA) passed in 1990, which required most retail food packages to provide nutrition information, but exempted restaurant food from these requirements. The MEAL Act requires chain restaurants with 20 or more business locations to provide consumers with information on calories, sodium, saturated and trans fat, and carbohydrates. The lawmakers have introduced similar legislation in the past three Congresses.
 
Studies show the total number of calories that individuals derive from food outside the home has increased steadily over time, but also indicate that very little nutrition information is provided in restaurants to consumers.
 
The legislation follows the successful implementation of menu labeling in New York City, an initiative that requires calorie information to be posted on menus and menu boards. Other cities around the country are rapidly following suit, including Seattle, Portland, Ore.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Philadelphia. Last fall California became the first state in the country to enact a menu labeling bill for chain restaurants, and the Massachusetts Public Health Council recently passed its own version for chain restaurants in that state.
 
Sen. Harkin said the bill is directed at improving public health and lowering health care costs. "It is time to take preventive action and give consumers the tools that they need to take better control of their diet and health."
 
The National Restaurant Association has said it does not support the MEAL Act but rather a different version, the Labeling Education and Nutrition (LEAN) Act, a bill introduced earlier this session by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and in the U.S. House by Reps. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.).
 
The LEAN Act would require restaurant chains with 20 or more units to post calorie information for standard menu items on menu boards or a similar sign next to the menu board or at the point of purchase. Additional information on 11 nutritional items, including sugar and sodium, would be available to consumers upon request. The national standard would replace regulations in any state or municipality.
 

Related Content

Reader Comments

Add a Comment

We welcome your thoughtful comments. All comments will display your real name.

Want to participate in the discussion?

Or log in for complete access.

  • Clear
  • Post
Be the first to post a comment for this story.
Products & Services

Reporting and Management Services

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4495.png

4495/Reporting-and-Management-Services

Scotsman Ice Machines

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4869.png

4869/Scotsman-Ice-Machines

PCI Compliance Managed Network Services

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4123.png

4123/PCI-Compliance-Managed-Network-Services

Workforce Mobile Scheduler

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4153.png

4153/Workforce-Mobile-Scheduler

LG M3204CCBA - 32" class (31.5" measured diagonally)

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4317.png

4317/LG-M3204CCBA-32-class-31-5-measured-diagonally

Comprehensive Services & Partner Resources

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/Services100.gif

124/Comprehensive-Services-Partner-Resources

Kronos Time and Attendance

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/1855.png

1855/Kronos-Time-and-Attendance

ChowNow Tablet

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4989.png

4989/ChowNow-Tablet

Enterprise Solutions

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4124.png

4124/Enterprise-Solutions

Presentation: Enhancing the In-Store Experience

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/enhancing_the_instore_exper.gif

3315/Presentation-Enhancing-the-In-Store-Experience

Foodservice Social Media Universe
Request Information From Suppliers
Save time looking for suppliers. Complete this form to submit a Request for Information to our entire network of partners.
Infographic: Top 12 Benefits of Digital Menu Boards