The frenzy to create and enact menu labeling statutes, ordinances, etc., has reached the national level. A coalition of trade associations and foodservice chains has been working with two US Senators (Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska) to create the LEAN Act of 2008, for nationwide, uniform legislation concerning standards for disclosure of nutrition data on menus.
The bill was unveiled at the National Restaurant Associations’ 2008 Public Affairs Conference in Washington on September 23, 2008, and introduced on the Senate Floor two days later. It would extend requirements enacted by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 requiring packaged foods to contain nutrition information on all labels or packaging. The act would force restaurants and grocery chains with twenty or more outlets to make nutrition data for regular menu items available to customers before the point of purchase. Specials that appear for 90 or fewer days are exempt.
Most importantly, the LEAN Act would pre-empt the current patchwork of earlier state and local menu-labeling mandates and preclude states and localities from enacting tougher rules in the future. The following are included in the bill:
- restaurants using menu boards would have the choice of listing calories on the board, on a sign next to the menu board, on a sign in the wait queue, or by other means as decided by the US Department of Health and Human Services;
- restaurants with menus could list calories directly on the menu, on a supplemental menu, on a menu insert, or on a menu appendix;
- additional nutrition data (similar to those stated in listings on packaged foods) would have to be avaialbe in writing before patrons reach the point of purchase at restaurants with menus and menu boards;
- restaurants would have to post statements on their menu boards or menus indicating the recommended daily caloric intake for an adult is 2,000 calories.
The LEAN Act would allow one year for drafting of regulations, one year for gathering input and potentital revisions, and six months for compliance.
What do you think?
- Elizabeth
2 responses so far ↓
Tacy // October 29, 2008 at 6:46 pm |
You write very well.
Rick // October 30, 2008 at 5:10 pm |
I favor the MEAL Act, It is pending in both the House and Senate and is similar to NYC’s law . It would mandate posting of calories directly on menu boards. Industry’s goal is to never see calorie counts on menu board (or on menus anywhere near the item description or price).
The MEAL Act also preserves local and state laws that are more stringent.
If you look at who supports each version LEAN vs. MEAL, you can see that those with a financial interest support the LEAN Act and those with genuien health and public policy interests support the MEAL Act.
Rick
http://www.foodrecalls.blogspot.com