Should Calories Be Posted on Menus?

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Montgomery County, Maryland may soon be joining New York City and King County, Washington-- home of Seattle-- in requiring chain restaurants to post calories for each item on their menu boards. Even menu boards for drive-thru windows would be required to list calories, fat, and sodium data for every food or drink item for sale.

A subcommittee of the Montgomery County Council has now unanimously endorsed the proposed legislation.

Councilman George Leventhal, a chief sponsor of the bill, argues, "More people die of heart disease than die of crime... traffic accidents, or pedestrian accidents. And I think it's a valid question for government.... what are we doing to promote the public health... to reduce the incidence of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer."

Leventhal believes seeing the calories right alongside the price might push customers to pick healthier choices.

The proposed legislation would apply to restaurants which have more than 20 outlets. Individual restaurants, which often change the menu nightly, would be exempt from the calorie/fat/salt posting requirement.

The restaurant industry opposes the bill.

"We want nationwide uniformity," explained Melvin Thompson of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. "Our chains are operating nationwide. We don't want to do certain postings in one jurisdiction, and then postings that are different in others. It's very confusing. It's very costly."

Montgomery County Council members may vote on the nutrition posting requirement at their meeting on November 17.