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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 22, 2015 10:44 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kevin J. Boyle |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Providing for Nutritional Information on Menus |
In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation (House Bill 181) that would require chain restaurants and retail food establishments to post nutritional information on their menus. As you know, our society is dealing with an obesity epidemic. The financial cost of this epidemic is enormous and is increasing every year. Studies show that the dramatic increase in our obesity rate is a major contributing factor to our escalating health care 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 Brothers sandwich), then I have the right to do so. However, as a consumer, I should also have information at my disposal so that I can make an informed choice. The legislation that I will be re-introducing would 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 chain restaurant and retail food establishment menus. Additionally, this information would be required to be printed for every standard menu item posted on menu boards and food tags. This measure is intended to help consumers make informed nutritional choices, since many of them are not aware of the actual nutritional content of the items they order at chain restaurants and retail food establishments. It is my sincere hope that if provided with the nutritional content of menu items, Pennsylvanians will be able to make decisions that can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Similar legislation was enacted within the City of Philadelphia a few years ago and has been well received. I hope you will consider signing on as a co-sponsor of this important measure. |