The new labeling requirements imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will require all restaurants including fast food chains to include the calorie count of all their food in their menu.
Last Tuesday, FDA announced that calorie labels should be placed on their menus and this includes vending machines, movie theaters and convenience stores. This is to make other people aware of the risks of gaining weight and obesity linked to fatty and sugary foods. The rules apply to restaurant chains with 20 or more locations which include dine-in and drive-through branches. Included are bakeries, coffee shops, delivery foods like pizza and foods sold in places of entertainment like movie theaters.
The rules will be effective in one year and it is geared towards the reduction of obesity rates in the United States. "This initiative is really all about trying to provide consumers with information that they can use to make more informed food choices for themselves and for their families," FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in an announcement of the new regulations.
Obesity rates have drastically increased through the years. According to the statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one third of the U.S. population is obese. That amounts to approximately 78.6 million people. The leading diseases for mortality are usually caused by obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
"Americans eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home. These final rules will give consumers more information when they are dining out and help them lead healthier lives," Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of the FDA said.
Furthermore, they want that calorie counts to be clearly printed on menus and it should be readable or not smaller than the photo of the food itself. They will post a reminder which says, "2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary."