Hot Topic (10/9): Menu labeling . . . one step away from telling you what to eat?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A rule that requires New York City fast food restaurants to post calorie information on their menu boards has not changed consumer habits in low-income neighborhoods, according to a study published on Tuesday. 

While half of consumers surveyed said they noticed the labeling, and about a quarter of those said they made different choices as a result, a review of fast food purchases showed habits remained the same, said the study, published in the journal Health Affairs. 

In July 2008, New York became the first U.S. city to mandate that fast food restaurants post calorie counts in large type on menu boards. The system has since become a model for similar rules intended to combat obesity and promote good nutrition being implemented in California, other parts of New York state, the cities of Seattle and Portland, and elsewhere.

Brian Elbel, a professor at the New York University School of Medicine and a lead author of the study, which was conducted in low-income neighborhoods with high minority populations, said that more research needed to be done.

"Though the introduction of calorie labels did not change the number of calories purchased, a combination of public policy efforts are likely necessary to produce a meaningful change in obesity," Elbel said.

About one-third of U.S. adults are obese, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other medical problems.

In compiling the data, researchers at New York University and Yale University analyzed fast-food purchases by 1,156 adults at Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's and Wendy's immediately before and after the rule went into effect.

The percentage of people aware of the calorie information increased from 16 percent to 54 percent, but the number of calories purchased was slightly higher than before the rule was implemented, researchers found.

Nearby Newark, New Jersey, where menu labeling is not required, was used as a control group.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the study may have been done too soon after the rule went into effect and before all fast food restaurants were in compliance.

The city will release its own study in several months using a sample size of 12,000 and covering a range of neighborhoods.

"At least the public has information and that's the government's job -- to make sure that the public has information," Bloomberg told reporters on Tuesday.

"But once again, this is America and you have a right to eat what you want to eat," he said.

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Would menu labeling influence your choice of food?

Should the government require menu labeling?  Do you think it's an effective way to reduce obesity?

Does everyone in America have the right to eat whatever they want, despite the health risks? 

[hsteele]

I think that menu labeling is a good idea. That way consumers can make informed purchases. Yes everyone has the right to eat what they want, but they also have the right to know what they are eating. For those who ignore the labels, that is their decision. But if the labels help even just a few families, where is the harm? I think that fast food restaurants should not be the only location though. All restaurants should be subject to this rule. After all, Moons Over My Hammy at Denny's probably has more calories than a big mac, not to mention the cholestoral.

[CSRodriguez]

I don't see how  information about food on a menue constitutes telling you what to eat .

It gives valuable information so that consumers can if they want to make  wise choices.   I  just wish   it were offered as a service rather than being   a requirement .

 

 

[SWasson]

I don't see why anyone would have a problem with letting people know what they're eating. There's nutrition info on practically every packaged food you buy at a store; is this bad? 

[EireLass]

Everyone has their own style of eating and their own feelings about food. I think it's helpful to label if someone has food restrictions in any way (cholesterol, diabetes, etc). I read labels thoroughly for any food I buy for home and prepare at home. I go out to eat rarely, so when I do....no labels for me! I'm just gulping the goodies down. 

[Stefanie1085]

Would menu labeling influence your choice of food?

Depends on what it is ;). It could alter my choice in many items, but if it is something I am craving, I'm going to eat it dangit!

Should the government require menu labeling?  Do you think it's an effective way to reduce obesity?

I like the idea of knowing what I am getting. I don't know how effective it will be. It depends on the person and if they have a concious desire to eat healthier.

Does everyone in America have the right to eat whatever they want, despite the health risks?

Yep

[luckcharm]

 Would menu labeling influence your choice of food? Depends on my mood.  If I went there specifically because I was craving something then no it wouldn't.   But If I was just going there for lunch then yes it would.

Should the government require menu labeling?  Do you think it's an effective way to reduce obesity?  I think its a good idea,   I don't know that it will effectively reduce obesity,  but it does help people make informed decisions on what they are eating.

Does everyone in America have the right to eat whatever they want, despite the health risks?  Yes they do,   its their lifes,  if they want to live it unhealthely then thats their choice.

[JenE4]

Hey, everyone in the group agrees on something--so far! ;-) I think menu labeling is a great idea. It would work the same way it does in grocery stores: The people who care about what they're eating would read the label and choose their foods accordingly, while the people who just buy what they like w/out giving any regard to the label would probably continue doing the same thing. It certainly won't affect what we're ALLOWED to eat, as you can see that it hasn't had much of a bearing on what food manufacturers sell. For example, cereal companies have put more emphasis on labeling products, but they haven't changed what's in it one damn bit: still as much sugar and crap as ever. But those labels help me find brands with more fiber and less sugar, etc.

[MontclairMama]

I think labels need to be clearer. Right now, cheese is not labeled with WHICH enzyme has been used in the production of that cheese. For us- vegetarians- that is a big problem. For most people it would not be. I think it is the same thing for restraurant labeling. Those who want to know should have a right to know and those who don't care can look the other way. It hurts no one.

[PamR]

I'm for menu labeling.  People may not always make better choices because of it, but at least they don't have the excuse that they had no way of knowing what was in their food.  My husband is a diabetic, and it makes life easier for him when he can look at the nutritional information before ordering.

[Mergath]

I'm completely in favor of menu labeling.  People just don't realize that a meal from a fast food place can actually have more calories than you should eat in an entire day.  Now if we could just get this country to stop drowning everything in trans fats, we'll be much better off.