Restaurants: Congress Should Pass Menu Labeling Provision, But Make It Broader

In a letter to members of Congress, released Friday, the leading restaurant chains endorsed federal efforts to require calorie labeling, but urged policymakers to adopt a more inclusive approach than is currently under consideration for the House health care reform bill (H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act).

The current proposed legislative language would apply to fewer than 25 percent of the nation's restaurants - far below the number that consumers say is satisfactory. The legislation would require only restaurant chains with more than 20 outlets to put calorie counts on menus and to provide customers with additional information upon request. The group recommends setting a reasonable minimum financial standard for inclusion, such as $1 million in annual sales and/or applying the requirements to all chains with three or more locations, recognizing the need to exclude small businesses for whom labeling might be a hardship.

'The existing language exempts three times more restaurants than it includes,' said Jonathan Blum, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Yum! Brands, Inc., which includes Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long John Silver's and A&W restaurants. 'It's not necessary that 100 percent of food operations provide this information, but the current language requires only 25 percent of restaurants to label menus. That is an inadequate number. America's consumers deserve better.' Last year Yum! became the first national restaurant company to announce it would begin voluntarily placing product calorie information on their menu boards.

A recent public opinion poll conducted by KRC Research in June found that 71 percent of Americans believe that all restaurants should show calorie counts on their menus.

A number of health and nutrition experts have supported the concept of menu labeling to assist consumers in battling obesity.

'Just cutting 100 calories a day could help prevent added pounds in most people,' said James O. Hill, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Board Chair of America on the Move. 'Menu labeling of calories applied as broadly as is economically feasible can only aid in this effort.'

'Having calorie labeling in as many restaurants as possible - not just the biggest fast food chains - is important in helping combat the serious problem of obesity,' said Barbara J. Moore, Ph.D., President and CEO of Shape Up America. 'We support education initiatives - including labeling - that encourage sensible eating and better health for all Americans.'

Calorie counts can be calculated at nominal cost, and the legislation only requires that standard menu items carry the label - exempting daily specials or features - making the provision feasible for all but the smallest outlets, the restaurant chains said in their letter to Congress.

The restaurant chains that signed the letter to Congress are:

• A&W
• Captain D's
• Cheddar's Casual Café
• Del Taco
• Domino's Pizza
• Donatos Pizza
• El Pollo Loco
• Figaro's Italian Pizza
• Jack in the Box
• KFC
• Long John Silver's
• Papa John's
• Pizza Hut
• Pizza Schmizza
• Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen
• Qdoba Mexican Grill
• Sargo's Subs
• Taco Bell
• Texas Roadhouse
• Tumbleweed Southwest Grill
• Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches


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