WASHINGTON —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Tom Carper, D-Del., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, reached a negotiated agreement based on two bills—the Labeling Education and Nutrition, or LEAN Act, and the Menu Education and Labeling, or MEAL, Act. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Under terms of the agreement—which was crafted with the participation of members of the foodservice industry—the measure would preempt all existing state and local menu-labeling requirements, and protect operators from frivolous litigation concerning the accuracy of nutrient content disclosure. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
According to the agreement, chains with 20 units or more would post calorie counts for standard items on menus and menu boards as well as calories per serving for each item on a buffet and salad bar. Standard menu items must be offered for at least 60 days per calendar year and would not include daily specials, custom orders and test market items on the menu for fewer than 90 days. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
In addition, restaurateurs would be required to post a brief statement regarding daily caloric intake, and advise guests that additional nutrition information is available. Other nutrition data—which must be available on request—would include calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fiber and protein. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
The measure next must be taken up by the full Senate and House. At press time, it was unknown whether it would be incorporated as language in Harkin’s health care bill or would emerge as a standalone bill. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Previously, members of the foodservice industry had favored the LEAN Act over the MEAL Act because the LEAN Act provided for more flexibility in the posting of nutritional data, and because the MEAL Act would not have superceded the many state and local mandates already in place. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Lawmakers in Oregon, Connecticut and Maine recently approved statewide menu labeling measures, joining California and Massachusetts. Other states considering measures include Oklahoma, Indiana, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York and South Carolina. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Other jurisdictions that have passed their own menu-labeling regulations include New York City, Westchester County in New York, King County in Washington, and Philadelphia. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Announcement of the compromise generated a wave of positive reaction from members of the industry, associations and lawmakers. Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive of the National Restaurant Association, thanked the senators “for their bipartisan leadership and for recognizing the importance of legislation that meets the needs of both the restaurant industry and our customers. We look forward to working with Congress to enact this legislation, which provides caloric information on the menu and additional information, such as sodium and carbohydrates in other accessible formats.” —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Jack Whipple, president of the National Council of Chain Restaurants, also applauded lawmakers for creating a single uniform, national standard, “which will help customers make educated, informed decisions about what they choose to eat.” —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
The Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information, which includes the NRA, NCCR and several national restaurant chains, called the agreement “the first step to bring consistent nutrition information to consumers after years of previously unsuccessful attempts.” —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
The agreement even found favor with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has squared off against the foodservice industry numerous times in the long-running menu-labeling battle. “We’re delighted to be working with the restaurant industry on legislation that will ensure that calories be listed on their menu and menu boards,” said Margo Wootan, CSPI’s nutrition policy director. —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., a sponsor of the MEAL Act in the House, also praised the agreement, saying, “I want to congratulate the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the restaurant industry for negotiating in good faith and for their hard work in reaching this agreement.” —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Chain executives also voiced approval of the compromise. Craig Prusher, vice president of government relations for Burger King Corp. in Miami, pointed to the “growing patchwork of inconsistent state and local laws governing menu labeling in restaurants that can be confusing to our customers and operators. If a federal standard is enacted, we will comply with the implementation regulations by rolling out consistent nutritional menu board in-restaurant calorie information to all of our U.S. company-owned and franchised restaurants.” —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
“We are pleased that industry, government and the public health community were able to come together and partner to reach a workable solution to this important issue,” said Clarence Otis, chairman and chief executive of Darden Restaurants in Orlando, Fla., in a statement. “As a member of the executive committee of the Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information, we look forward to working with all parties to pass this significant piece of legislation.” —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
Doug Brooks, president and chief executive of Dallas-based Brinker International, said, “We look forward to supporting the advancement of this agreement through the legislative process and call on Congress to move swiftly on this issue.”— [email protected] —A bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry and generating hopes that Congress could soon pass a single uniform national nutrition standard for restaurants.
