You have to wonder when it'll happen here
So now Philly is also going to be cracking down on restaurant labeling too.
That’s because Philadelphia is joining the likes of New York City and California, and having a strict labeling law on all chain-restaurants menus because the city’s mayor, Michael Nutter signed the law into practice at the Center for Obesity Research Education at Temple University.
Now, places will have to list the food or beverage’s calories, saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates and sodium.
Personally, I wish this information was mandatory at all restaurants. For me, I just like to know what I’m putting in my body, but I also like going out to eat. However, just because I want to know, doesn’t mean everyone wants to know, which is why I take the time to look online at fast-food restaurants Web sites, which normally have a nutritional breakdown of their food options. Or, when I do decide to go somewhere, that doesn’t post such information, I use healthydiningfinder.com
What I’m also curious about these chain restuarants and posting the nutritional information, is just how accurate it is.
For example, according to a Scripps Television Station investigation, from March to May of 2008, station employees tested so-called “healthier” options at Chili’s, Taco Bell and Applebee’s, only to find out many of the meals had nearly twice as many calories and eight times the grams of fat as their menu listed.
And we’re talking big differences here. For example, the Chili’s Guiltless Grill Salmon is listed on the menu as having 14 total grams of fat. But when it was tested, it weighed in at 35 grams of fat.
Really? What’s the point of publishing the information if it isn’t even true?
So I’m just wondering, with the new Philly law that takes place in 2010, who’s going to be responsible for determining the calories content, sodium, etc? Is it going to be the actual business, or are they going to have to have an outside, bipartisan group look at it?
For me, I say quodos for people who want to be informed on what they are eating, but think a lot more needs to be done than just looking at calories, fat, etc. Maybe just some basic information on what healthy eating is, that way, people can go to a restaurant and know the veggies, not cooked in butter, with a plain burger, is actually probably healthier than the salad, that includes fried chicken and bacon.
Like I’ve said from the beginning, people need to be educated, which isn”t necessarily a restaurants job.
I’m curious on how would readers feel if a similar law was put in to place in Minneapolis? Do you really want to know what’s in your food, or would you rather just decide to eat guilt free, but limit the number of times you go out? Do you take the time to know what your eating on your own, or do you expect it to be done for you?
