We’ve all noticed an increase in calorie count figures on menus at some fast food restaurants, but the display of the information will soon be mandated for all chains by the Food and Drug Administration.
The new rule will also apply to movie theaters, amusement parks, vending machines and some prepared foods in supermarkets.
Health experts see the regulation as a positive step towards combatting the country’s obesity epidemic by revealing just how many calories are in their favorite foods.
Current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that more than one-third of American adults are obese.
“This is one of the most important public health nutrition policies ever to be passed nationally,” said Margo Wootan, Director of Nutrition Policy at the Center for Science in Public Interest. “Right now, you are totally guessing at what you are getting. This rule will change that.”
A handful of restaurants have already taken the initiative to prominently display calorie counts for customers, most notably Panera, McDonald’s and Au Bon Pain.
But some segments of the food industry have continued to fight the new regulations. The big pizza chains fought for the right to determine a serving size of pizza themselves, and to list calories by the slice - and they got it.
Comments