Judge rules in favor of NYC Calorie labeling
April 16, 2008
The New York City Health Department’s attempts to get calorie information on menu boards, have been strongly opposed by the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA). Today, the judge ruled in favor of the City. In his decision, the judge says he thinks calorie labeling is in the public interest and does not violate the First Amendment. I suppose the NYSRA will appeal this sensible decision, but in the meantime, here’s what chain restaurants have to do to comply. Let’s hope they do. I can’t wait to see whether this works.
And here’s the New York Times account on Friday, April 17, with the law scheduled to go into effect on Monday unless the judge grants the Restaurant Association’s appeal.
I think it’s a great idea to put calorie amounts on menus. It may lead to a lot of unnecessary calorie counting, but that’s what information will do to you. Unfortunately places like taco bell and McDonalds will probably lose a lot of business, or they’ll just start making healthier foods.
Once taco bell was advertising that their burritos only had 400 or so calories. I thought that was kind of a joke considering the ones I make at home are considerably larger and have about… 200. If people knew what they were eating they’d probably think twice about eating out, and could save a lot of money.
Comment by Cassidy — April 16, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
I think you’re right Cassidy, if people knew what they were eating calories/ingredients (guacamole made from a powder anyone?) many would choose to skip the fast food–or find a restaurant that serves better options.
I really hope the calorie labeling succeeds!
…fortunately “places like taco bell and McDonalds will probably lose a lot of business.”
Comment by Daniel Ithaca,NY — April 17, 2008 @ 6:56 am
Clearly, no one has any idea what this will actually do, if anything, for the ‘obesity’ problem. I think it makes people feel good to do this, but will it affect eating habits?
My guess is, these calorie counts will become, for most people, just more background noise that is pretty much ignored. Sort of like those ‘energy ratings’ on appliances, health warnings on liquor bottles, mileage ratings for cars, financial fine print on your credit card agreement, safety warnings on stepladders.
Government-mandated blather that no one heeds.
Or, high-calorie counts will serve as surrogate markers for the best dishes to order. Low-calorie counts will suggest tasteless, skinless choices.
Comment by Anton — April 17, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
Thank God that Judge has some horse sense.
Most food vendors, and all of the national fast food vendors are selling Diabetes in ten years or less for you when you walk in to their store. I know because I’m seeing 1-2 new Diabetics each day in my (physician’s) office. They already knew that fast food was bad for them,BUT they needed some authority figure (like our president-?- no way) like their doctor to tell them “It’s BAD”. The calorie count (from a computer) will now be that authority. John MD
Comment by John — April 22, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
Pardon me for this , but it is a good thing that nobody but food enthusiasts and corporate lackeys read ,your blog, because at least we can recognize ourselves. Anton’s comments are SO out of touch with reality;how can he have a negative comment about auto milage ratings with $3.50 gas, unless he’s from Uranus or is a stooge of a corp. sponsored “anti-regulatory lobby”
His words on the “financial fine print” are equally ridiculous in the midst of our current “sub prime mess” which has halved the price of my bank stocks. John MD
Comment by John — April 22, 2008 @ 10:43 pm