Calories on Parade in Oregon

[David]

Let the burger buyer beware.

The Oregon Legislature has done Oregonians a waistline-­paring favor by approving a bill requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information.

Hard times or no, Oregonians still eat many meals away from home. And they need to know — many even want to know — how many calories are in that triple-bacon-cheddar-ranch-and-fried-onions cheeseburger.

House Bill 2726 is based on an ordinance that recently took effect in Multnomah County. The legislation, which passed the Senate Monday by a 21-7 vote, requires calorie counts to be posted at restaurants with 15 or more outlets starting in 2011. Beginning next year, eateries will have to make available on request breakdowns on calories, carbohydrates, saturated fats and trans fats.

There’s not much to dislike in this bill. The only ingredient that causes mild indigestion is the delay in the starting date for menu and menu board changes, a compromise made to appease the Oregon Restaurant Association. The delay was unnecessary, especially since most of the affected chains already are changing menus and signage to meet Multnomah County’s standards.

Some consumer groups are troubled that HB 2726 pre-empts local governments from passing their own laws requiring restaurants to post calorie information. Lane County commissioners have been considering such an ordinance. But the Legislature was right to impose a statewide standard that will provide consistency for restaurants and consumers.

Menu labeling already is in place and making a difference in other parts of the country. California, New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle and King County, Wash., all have laws requiring restaurants to post calories on their menus, and similar laws have been proposed elsewhere.

State lawmakers wisely rejected critics’ claims that posting calorie information has no effect on consumer behavior. Studies show that consumers use nutritional information to select lower-calorie menu items. A 2007 study of New York City fast-food restaurants found that customers who used the posted calorie information ordered an average of nearly 100 fewer calories than other patrons.

Industry lobbyists initially argued that the legislation would impose an unfair economic burden on restaurants reeling from the recession. But lawmakers understood that HB 2726 has the potential to increase business for those restaurants that provide healthier food while retaining taste, quality and competitive prices.

Like it or not, Oregonians need nutritional information. Nearly two-thirds of the state’s adults are overweight, and childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past 30 years. Obesity costs the state more than $780 million per year in direct medical expenses.

Displaying calorie counts is no panacea, but it’s a start and an important one in a fast-food universe that can be deceiving — where a “healthy” salad can contain more calories than a cheeseburger and fries. Menu labeling is especially important for the estimated 262,000 Oregonians who are diabetics and have a vital need to know what they’re eating.

[Susana]

Funny cartoon! As the article says, it is a good start... I hope this will make people conscious about what they put in their mouths!