Calories go on the menu, by law
Restaurant chains in New York will be forced to put calorie counts on their menus as part of a healthier eating campaign.
The city’s health board hopes the fat-filled truth about some dishes will shock diners into choosing alternatives.
The new rule comes into effect in April and applies to any chain that operates at least 15 separate outlets.
Major fast-food chains make up about 10% of the city’s restaurants.
Several chains, such as McDonald’s and Burger King, have the information available, but do not list it on the menu boards that customers read before ordering.
City officials hope the rule will curb obesity by making people aware of the thousands of calories that can be packed into some of the meals.
Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said he hoped the chains would also respond by offering healthier options.
“I don’t think we’re going to see the 2,700-calorie appetisers that we see now,” he said.
New York, which banned trans-fat-laden cooking oils from all restaurants last year, is believed to be the first US city to make calorie menus compulsory.
The Centre for Consumer Freedom, a coalition of restaurants and food companies, had opposed the proposal.
“It doesn’t take a PhD in nutrition, let alone a high school diploma to tell the difference between a 12-piece bucket of chicken and a salad,” the group said in a statement.
Fast-food companies have said the calorie counts would clutter menus and irritate customers who did not necessarily want to be confronted with the information.
