Calorie labeling: New York City tries again
October 25, 2007
The New York City Board of Health announced yesterday that it would seek public comment on its revised proposal to require chain restaurants to post calories someplace where customers can actually see them. The new proposal replaces the original proposal that was stuck down by the courts a few weeks ago. This time, the requirement will apply to all chain restaurants that have 15 or more outlets in the country. Amazingly, this encompasses 10% of New York City restaurants. Not so amazingly, the restaurant industry is not so happy about this and, according to today’s New York Times, has not decided yet whether to go back to the courts. You have thoughts about this? Send them in and go to the hearing on November 27.
I think some kind of in-store, in-your-face reminder that you’re eating unhealthy food is wonderful. I’m so glad to see it would apply to all chain restaurants, like Mortons and Ruth’s Chris’. (Why should they be exempt just because they charge higher prices and have waiters?) I wonder if Hiltons and Hyatts fall into this category, too.
This only encompasses 10% of NYC restaurants? I wonder if it’s 80% or more in Florida (outside of Miami Beach), where it’s very difficult to start a successful independent restaurant; the $100,000 fee for a liquor license coupled with a high percentage of residents who want to spend as little on food as possible and eat only familiar food. (Unfamiliar food is food that does not come from a chain restaurant.)
Comment by Jack at Fork & Bottle — October 25, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Food ingredients and carb counts are important bits of information that consumers need when choosing eat-out foods because those factors can be important health issues (especially for food sensitivities and diabetics). But calories and fat counts are not factors that are critical on a meal-to-meal basis (I would argue not very important at all). Posting calories is just another well-meaning but ineffective regulatory hoop to jump through, and most consumers do not even look for that info, let alone need. If they are concerned about weight, they would be better advised to drink stay away from the sweet and starchy foods and eat the protein and veggies. No counts of any sort involved, but it might require the use of a knife and fork instead of hand-held foods.
Comment by Anna — October 25, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
I would like to see Cheesecake Factory post their nutrition information ANYWHERE. They flat-out refuse when they’re asked by calorie-counter websites. I love their dishes, but there’s something fishy there, if not outright sinister. Something’s being hidden or they wouldn’t mind fessing up.
Comment by Vulpea — October 25, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Vulpea - I’d like to see people become food-savvy enough that they simply not eat at places like Cheesecake Factory.
Comment by Jack at Fork & Bottle — October 27, 2007 @ 3:00 am