Calorie counts to be required by law on New York City menus…

2/12/2008

High-end chains have joined fast-food restaurants in opposing a new regulation passed by the NYC Board of Health, which will to require calorie counts to be posted on menus of any chain with 15 or more locations nationwide.

The law not only includes previously targeted fast-food chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King, but high-end establishments such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Capital Grille.  

Crain’s reports that some restaurants, which had not objected when fast-food restaurants were threatened with these regulations, now take issue that the same rules will apply to them: “ ‘It’s unfair to treat us the same' as fast-food businesses, says Wally Ganzi, chief executive of Palm Restaurants. ‘You are comparing apples and oranges.’”

Another restaurant chain reacted not with outrage at an illegitimate exercise of government power, but with short-sighted concern about competitors who don’t have outlets in New York City. Crain’s quotes a spokesman for Darden Restaurants, which owns Capital Grille, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster, who says "'we would like a comprehensive federal solution, and not one done on a local basis.'"

Luckily, other restaurant groups show a little more common sense. According to an AP article:

“[New York Restaurant Association spokesman Chuck Hunt] said the regulation would not stop people from eating fattening foods.

“He pointed to the nutritional information that is already required on packaged items sold in stores. ‘It’s been done in supermarkets for 13 years,’ Hunt said. ‘Has it worked? Has obesity declined?’”

For the complete Crain’s New York article, click here.

For the complete AP article, click here.