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Bill would force restaurants to list fat, calories
Washington, Nov 06: Federal legislation introduced on Wednesday would force fast-food and other chain restaurants to display how many calories and how much fat and sodium customers are getting in each item. Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro introduced the bill, called the Menu Education and Labeling or MEAL bill, in the House. Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin said he would introduce a similar measure in the Senate.
Washington, Nov 06: Federal legislation introduced on Wednesday would force fast-food and other chain restaurants to display how many calories and how much fat and sodium customers are getting in each item.
Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro introduced the bill, called the Menu Education and Labeling or
MEAL bill, in the House. Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin said he would introduce a similar measure in the Senate.
The bill applies to standard menu items offered by chains with 20 or more outlets. If passed, it would affect groups such as Yum Brands Inc., which operates Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, McDonald's, Denny's .
"Obesity is one of our nation's most pressing health issues," DeLauro told a news conference. "This bill ... will give consumers the necessary nutritional information to make healthy choices for themselves."
More than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and thus at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. The food and restaurant industry has argued that a lack of exercise is just as responsible, if not more responsible, for the trend.
She noted that Americans spend 46 percent of food dollars in restaurants now as compared to 26 percent in 1970.
"And studies have shown that children eat almost twice as many calories when they eat at a restaurant as they do when they eat at home," DeLauro said.