April 30, 2008
Now Calorie Rules Must Go Up, Appeals Court Rules
In a lawsuit that’s had more back and forth than John Goodman at an all-you-can-eat Marriott breakfast buffet, a federal appeals court has ruled that, yes, city restaurants with 15 or more establishments nationwide must start displaying calorie information for all foods and beverages. In the meantime, the city has agreed not to issue any fines for non-compliance until July 18th, by which time judges are expected to rule on the National Restaurant Association’s appeal.
The court is also seeking the FDA’s opinion on whether FDA rules permit cities to dictate what restaurants tell customers. The restaurant industry says the rules would violate their First Amendment rights and run counter to the federal Labeling and Education Act, which lets restaurants decide how to present nutrition information, if at all.
But at least one of the judges seems inclined to rule for the city, pointing out that cigarette packages contain health warnings. Judge Rosemary Pooler told industry lawyers yesterday, "If we were to adopt your view, no warnings would ever appear on anything."
Approximately 25% of the restaurants in New York City covered by the regulation, such as Starbucks, are voluntarily complying with the legislation. But last week some wondered how much anyone can really trust the stats they provide – a place like Chipotle says they have a low-cal burrito with 420 calories, but the only way to stay at that number is by eating a tortilla with black beans and nothing else.
Photo courtesy Vidiot.
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420? Smoke a jay and eat a burrito!
coincidentally, black bean burritos are really good when high.
so what about mom and pop delis and small taco stands etc???
comparing it with cigarettes? every single cigarette pack has the warning on it, not just the big companies'.
i really think all restaurants should be forced to do this, i'm not sure why they're just focusing on the chains.
[3], I think the rule is, if you question it, you probably should eat too much of it.
Girlfriends and boyfriends should be required to do likewise: when you're in a scorching 69, the last think you need on your mind is the fear that you could put on some foreplay fat...then again, working it off on the treadmill is how you hooked up in the first place.
Why don't they just cut to the chase and go after the real culprits Mayonnaise and Super Sized Sodas...
out in the suburbs that list would also include rider mowers. Get a push mower you lazy bastids.
If they had nothing to hide they would simply post it. Once you see what you are eating you will never eat that crap again.. except when you are baked.
#3, didn't you read the article were it says "15 or more establishments nationwide?" And if you were referring to why don't the small shops have to do it, I doubt they have the ability or capital to hire food scientists or labs to determine the caloric content of one of thier homegrown taco's.
#9: Are you serious?
Two minutes of internet research on the raw ingredients will give you a really decent estimate on caloric and fat content of any food served.
The excuse that it's an undue burden on smaller operations is b.s.
Yeah, if raw ingredients were the only caloric elements of a dish. And who's going to police that accuracy for every mom and pop shop, the DOH? Don't make me laugh.
I think this is a good law. It's nice to know what exactly you're eating.