View Enlargement
On Health
In-depth reports on medicine, staying healthy and the major issues surrounding health care.
Nutrition Labels for Fast Foods
Bill Would Require Restaurant Chains to List Calories on Menus
Center for Science and the Public Interest
Inset from a model "dinner house restaurant" menu lists calories, saturated fat and sodium content.
More Model Menus
The Center for Science and the Public Interest suggests sample menus listing nutritional values for restaurant chains. (Adobe Acrobat required)
Morning Edition, November 10, 2003 · The government has long required food sold in supermarkets to include information about calories, fat and other nutritional values. Newly introduced legislation in Congress would require fast-food outlets and other restaurant chains to do the same. NPR's Bob Edwards discusses the measure with the bill's sponsor, Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT).
DeLauro notes that adults and children get about one-third of their calories from dining out. "I believe people want to make wise choices about what they're eating to have a more healthy diet," she says. "I also believe they need information on which they can make those informed choices."
Chains including McDonald's, Domino's, Burger King, Wendy's, Pizza Hut and Subway currently provide nutrition information on their Web sites or in brochures, DeLauro says. She says her legislation would make that information readily accessible. "Before you go out to eat, you don't look at the Web site," DeLauro says.
The legislation, which would apply to restaurant chains with 20 or more outlets, is supported by the Center for Science and the Public Interest. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is expected to sponsor a similar bill in the Senate this year.
A group representing the restaurant industry opposes DeLauro's proposed Menu Education and Labeling Act. "As a result of the many choices that appear on our nation's restaurant menus, and people's desire to customize their order, there can be no feasible, one-size-fits-all application of menu labeling legislation," the National Restaurant Association said in a statement.
Related NPR Stories
- Jan. 24, 2003Healthy Eating Trends Challenge Fast-Food Industry
- July 11, 2003FDA Requires Trans-Fat Food Labels
- Oct. 27, 2003Pasta, Bread Makers Fight Low-Carb Diets
- Oct. 24, 2003Fighting Black Obesity with a 'Menu for Life'
- Aug. 9, 2002Fast Food Flab
- Defeating Childhood Obesity
- More Stories on Fast Food and Nutrition
Comments
Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.