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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 2, 2013 11:29 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Brendan F. Boyle |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Menu Labeling |
| As you know, our society is dealing with an obesity epidemic. The financial cost of this epidemic is enormous, and is increasing with every year. Studies show that the dramatic increase in our obesity rate, particularly among children, is a major contributing factor to our escalating health costs. Some policymakers advocate for banning certain fatty foods. Indeed, some municipalities have chosen to follow this path. I strongly disagree with this approach. If I want to eat a cheesesteak (or a Primanti Bros sandwich), then I have the right to do so. However, as a consumer, I should also have information at my disposal so I can make an informed choice. Accordingly, I plan to introduce legislation that would require chain restaurants and retail food establishments to post nutritional information on their menus. My legislation would apply to restaurants with more than 15 locations locally and nationwide. This legislation would apply to menus at sit-down restaurants as well as menu boards within fast food establishments. This legislation would specifically require that the total number of calories, grams of saturated fats, grams of trans fat, grams of carbohydrates, and milligrams of sodium be printed for every standard menu item on restaurant menus. Additionally, this information would be required to be printed for every standard menu item posted on menu boards and food tags. Similar legislation was enacted within the city of Philadelphia a couple years ago and it has been well received. It is intended to help consumers make informed nutritional choices, since many consumers are not aware of the actual nutritional content of the items they purchase when dining out. It is my sincere hope that if provided with the nutritional content, Pennsylvanians will be able to make decisions that can lead to a healthier lifestyle. |
Introduced as HB181