foodconsumer.org: New York City starts counting calories in restaurants

New York City starts counting calories in restaurants
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admin on 07/20/2008 21:09:00
 
SUNDAY July 20, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- As of Saturday, New York City health
inspectors can issue citations to fine restaurants that do not comply with the
city's calorie posting rule.   The fine ranges from $200 to $2,000.
The rule requires restaurants that have 15 or more outlets nationwide to post
calorie information alongside their prices, and affects more than 2,000
restaurants or 10 percent of the total in the city.
As of July 12, 277 restaurants had been cited for their failure to comply,
according to the New York Times. Inspectors have had the authority to cite
eateries since May.
The rule had been planned to take effect in April, but was delayed because New
York State fought against the rule in court.   In the end, a high court sided
with the city and upheld the regulation.
Reuters cited an analyst as saying that the calorie posting rule would not help
those who eat at restaurants like McDonald's, suggesting that people who care
about what they eat may not go there for a lunch in the first place.
A health observer affiliated with foodconsumer.org suggested that counting
calories is not the right way for people to maintain a healthy weight because
few people could keep counting calories for a lifetime.
The key to fighting obesity is to eat the right foods, according to Dr. Colin T.
Campbell, a distinguished nutrition professor retired from Cornell University.
He suggested that animal-based foods are the likely culprit for the obesity
epidemic.   And he said those who use a whole foods, plant-based diet do not
have to count calories.   They can eat any amount without gaining excess weight.
In New York City, another rule has taken effect this month. Starting on July 1,
the city requires restaurants to clear artificial trans fat from all their menu
items.
According to the rule, all foods served, including baked goods, oils,
shortenings, and margarines used for baking, and prepared items that contain
artificial trans fat, must contain no more than 0.5 grams of trans fat per
serving.
But foods served in the manufacturer’s original, sealed packaging, such as
candy and crackers, are still exempt regardless of the amount of trans fat in
the foods.
By Ben Wasserman, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jul 20, 2008 - 12:09:09 PM