Monday, March 11, 2013

Calorie Labeling in Fast Food Restaurants


       At the start of this year, all restaurants who own more than 50 stores must post their calorie content on the menu.  Many restaurants have applied for an extension of time to delay the negative effects to their franchise.  The truth is, the more the consumer knows about fast food, the more the fast food industry will be forced to be healthier.  McDonalds has recognized and capitalized on healthy fast food.  They posted under 100, 200, 300, and 400 calorie menu items to attract those who were watching calories.  Other restaurants haven’t changed their menu and have seen significant loss in revenue.  Since the calorie content was put up on the menu, the calorie content per transaction has dropped 10 percent.  That is HUGE!  If all Americans chose food that was 10 percent healthier for them,  we wouldn’t have a lot of the current health problems we due today.
       The franchise fast food companies fought the crap out of this law. They knew that they could no longer sell fast food that was cheap and caloric.  They are now moving in the healthier and lower calorie menu items.  Salads, fruits, and veggies are being added to menus.  Light mayo is being substituted instead of regular mayo.  These small differences will make a big impact on obesity rates in the U.S.  Hopefully our government stays tough on these laws.  I am very happy with this law.  Any other laws that brought transparency to the consumer and lowered calorie consumption would be awesome.  I can’t believe the government did something right.

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